Words simply can't express the feelings I have had this last weekend as we watched Sarah dance with the Cougarettes at the National Collegiate Dance Championships. We have been to a lot of competitions during Sarah's life but nothing could have prepared me for the energy and excitement as over 50 parents and family formed a cheering section and watched the girls give it everything they had. They have worked so hard and it all paid off.
We left for Florida on April 5th. We landed in Orlando and rented a car and drove to Penny and Kent's for a few days. I miss Penny so much and it is always so fun to visit. I wish they lived closer. Her kids are so cute with us and seem to love having us there. Penny cooked us dinner and then we relaxed. The next day Penny and I went shopping and Steve and Kent went golfing. I had a blast. I wish Mom and my girls could have been there with us. We went to Logan's Roadhouse for dinner. Penny and Kent are on a diet and they gave us incentive to do better now that we are home.
The next day we drove to Daytona Beach. We checked into the hotel and then drove to the beach to check out where the competition was going to be the next day. When we got up the next morning we headed to the Peabody Auditorium for the preliminary competition. The girls did a great job and we figured that it was between us and Louisville. When the scores came in we were all disappointed to find that we came in second by a half a point. That just meant that we were placed second to last for Finals the next day but the scores were wiped clean and did not accumulate.
We met the other parents and Cougarettes that night for dinner at Olive Garden. We sat by Heidi Juergen's parents from Texas. What great people! The service was quite bad and I never did get my meal. They gave everyone at my table a free meal.
Penny and I had put together little candy bags for the girls that we handed out. I really think they all appreciated it so much.
The nerves were quite tight as we sat the next day at the Ocean Center for the Finals. I have never been so nervous. Everyone was wound up. As the girls came out on the stage, my body felt numb. The dance started and the energy was amazing. I just knew they came to win. It was so exciting and other people in the seats next to us kept telling how much they loved it. In the end we took the Choreography award and won the competition buy three hundredths of a point.
That night we celebrated at The Outback with all the team and fans. The assistant Athletic Director was there and told the girls they would be welcomed back by the administration and Athletic Dept.
I will never forget the experience and the total out of body experience as I screamed for Sarah and the total relief as she did the final lift to complete a near perfect routine.
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