MEET was NEAT!!

Today I had the awesome privledge of helping at the Crowder Cup boys gymnastics meet. We were there for the fledgling Level 4 and also for the Level 7-10 session. Level 6 were competing the third session but I did my housekeeping duties after the session got underway and Sheryl had mercy on me and let me book early since we had been there since 8am. If you've ever watched Olympic Gymnastics you would be amazed to see from where that enduring talent starts. Honestly the drive and motivation it takes for these boys to go the distance in the sport is truely inspiring. My youngest boy Ethan is on the Junior Team at GTC in Rochester who hosted the event. It was not in the plans for him to compete this year but I thought it would be advantageous for him to attend a meet so he knows how the process all works before he does. He worked as a score flasher on rings, so was able to watch all the different teams plus he heard and had to put up the scores for them. There were some very good programs represented today from across the state of Michigan, Shelby Twp., Lansing, Waterford, Kalamazoo, Saginaw, Ann Arbor and I'm sure several more I am forgetting, plus a gym from Ohio. For the second session I was score flasher for parallel bars with a fabulous judge whose been at it for nearly 28 years. He began judging at 18 years old after going through the competitive program himself. It was very educational watching him score. He was fair, friendly, and encouraging to the boys. Unfortunately our Level 4 team didn't fair too well overall, chalk it up to being their first meet and having some serious brain cramps when it came to remembering their routines. It happens. Perhaps they could have been better prepared but I am confident they will improve at the next go-round. The upper levels had a respectable showing with one of our own taking best all-around for Level 10 (there were four boys competing that level today). The father of one of the boys on Ethan's team is a former player for the Detroit Lions and he came in to present the awards to the kids which was nice. His son competed for the first time today as well. A very gracious and humble guy. It was interesting to see how people approached him, parents who are obvious football fans and some kids, I saw one gymnast ask him to sign the medal he just received. A very fine group of boys and young men competed today, with the help of some remarkable coaches. Hats off to all the people who encourage, support and train these athletes. I was very blessed to be a part of it.

The Winter Classic / Crowder Cup

is dedicated

to the memory of

Steven Crowder,

a 14 year-old G.T.C. Class 5 gymnast

whose life was tragically taken from us

in a bicycle accident June 24, 2002.

Steven was an important part of our boy's program and G.T.C. family. He will be remembered always as a very well disciplined enthusiastic young man. A friend to teammates and a role model to younger team gymnasts. Steven's goal was to compete as a college gymnast someday . To help ensure that other boys have the opportunity to compete for a college team the “Crowder Foundation” has been formed. A total of $5.00 from each entry fee goes directly into the fund to be donated to the “College Gymnastics Foundation” to preserve men's gymnastics for future generations to come. We have donated nearly $7,000 to the fund so far. From the Crowder family and the Foundation, thanks to all who choose to participated in this event.