One evening after vaulting practice, Coach Lori held me after the other parents left and said, "We would really like to take Genna to Nationals in California." I asked if she was really that good and Lori nodded- she isn't one to single out one girl over the team-so when she said, "Yes, she is really that good. And we would be happy to take her. She can work for her room and board by helping us with the horses." How could I say no to that?
So off she went! She was down there for several days helping out with setting up the arena and Fun Fest before I met them down there closer to Genna's competition time. I was just in time to give her a quick hug, but her brain was in full competition mode by then.
Harbor View Vaulters: Bronze Women (T, B, and Genna)
The scores for round one compulsories plus freestyle were averaged for a final place for round one. Genna came in 8th place for Compulsories. She had never gotten such a low placing, but this was Nationals after all! Here is her Compulsories video:
We had an entire day off between Compulsories and Freestyle, so we headed off to Moss Landing to see some wildlife and play in the ocean. The girls really needed the distraction.
Genna and B: So silly! You can't take vaulters anywhere without them posing!
We were staying in the Garlic Capital of the World, so we stopped to try out garlic ice cream. It was actually really good! The ice cream tasted normal, but it had a strong garlic aftertaste that was not unpleasant.
As we got closer to the freestyle round, the more nervous we got. There were almost 50 Bronze level women vaulters. Only the top 15 scores get to advance to Round 2. Genna was in 9th for compulsories and that had always been her better score. Genna is not much of a showman. She does better with the restrictions of compulsories. Her goal, she said, was to score in the top five. I told her that her goal should be just being there and happy with whatever place she gets. "How about just having a top 15 goal so you can advance to Round 2?" Nope. Top five.
Genna, B, and T waiting to go into the warm up arena
This was a tough tough morning. We (a teammates's mom and I) felt like all the girls from all the teams were having a horrible morning. Girls were falling off their horses kind of horrible. You could feel the tension. When our three bronze girls went up, T (in blue above), slipped, couldn't catch her balance, lost her place in her music, and quit halfway through her routine and was disqualified. We were heartbroken. All that hard work and money spent, done in 38 seconds. The second girl, B, who has been Genna's partner all year, also had a tiny slip. While this was going on, T was whispering in Genna's ear, "Win this for me." No pressure, right? When Genna was in the middle of the ring, I could see her saying something while they were waiting for the judge to ring the bell to signify the start. I saw Lori lean into hear what Genna was saying and then I saw her smile. I relaxed, even though I didn't know what she said.
Midway through her routine, Genna's shoe fell off and she slipped off the horse, but caught herself and got right back in to her routine. Coincidentally, it was right in time with her music when the lyrics say, "Birds don't just fly, they fall down (slip) and get up..." Too bad it didn't count as music interpretation haha.
A teammate comforting a crying Genna. I love these girls so much.
Afterwards, I asked Genna what she was saying. "Zip ties, duct tape, thumb tacks, and staples. See, I set this arena up when we first got here. I know that that thing over there is held together by zip ties. And that thing is taped to stay up. And all those decorations are just stapled into the wood. When I get nervous, I just remember the arena is just held together by these little things." Wow. Genna ended up in 5th place for Freestyle! We were so excited! A ninth place and a fifth place meant she would probably advance! The placing all comes down to points, so we were so surprised when the Round 1 scores were posted and both B and Genna were not only advancing, but were in 3rd and 4th place! Top Five, just like Genna wanted! It was definitely a See Mom? I told ya! moment.
Can't take them anywhere!
So, here we were. Round 2. Fifteen women/teens/girls. Girls with personal trainers and electronic barrels and fancy ranches and then there is us. Genna and B. Girls from nowhere special with parents who don't fit the stereotype horse people. All year, B won Round 1 in all the competitions, just to narrowly lose the entire competition to Genna on Round 2. The big difference is the compulsories go the opposite direction and all the moves are mirrored. Genna is really good at Round 2 compulsories.
Vaulters are always up early to take care of the horses
She was nervous, but more confident. She still had her mantra. And her new goal: Top Three. I tried to talk her out of it again. I tried again with the be happy you made it to Round 2 talk. And then I had to leave her and go sit in the stands. As we approached her go time, my heart was going faster and faster. I was shaking. I leaned back against the back of the arena (I was in the top row) and something poked me in the back! I turned around and saw... a zip tie! I immediately felt better. And then....
she nailed Round 2. First place!!! And as the last few vaulters were finishing up Round 2 and the judges were entering the scores...Genna was holding first place over all for awhile. I was seriously having a panic attack. I was not ready to have Genna come down to her first National competition and beat everyone at the Bronze level. She had only been vaulting for two years. This couldn't be happening. But she didn't...she came in a decent THIRD place overall.
Coach Lori, Coach Kathy, and Genna.
The cherry on top of the whole trip was getting to meet Mary McCormick. She has been vaulting forever. She is amazing and strong and competes internationally. Her horse's stall was across from Harbor View's horses, so I asked if Kathy would introduce Genna to her. Mary was so sweet. She said, "Genevieve Downen? I've heard your name a lot today! First in compulsories in Round 2? And third overall? Wow! How long have you been vaulting? Only two years?" She looked over at Kathy with a look. "Were you in gymnastics before or just natural talent?" Kathy gives a knowing nod. Genna tells her she also does Taekwondo. I fan girl swoon. Famous people are hearing about my girl.
Mary and Genna
Indy gets a ribbon too!
As soon as the ceremony was over, I had to head back to the airport and wait for my girl to get home with the coaches and horses. This was a trip we will never forget!
