UCA 2020

UCA 2020 at Disney World is an experience for the books.  The NBA was canceled due to the rising case of Coronavirus, but cheer competitions GO ON!  Six hours before our flight, I learned that all competitions were canceled…but not UCA, the one where our teams would compete for National Champions.   Sadly our two-day experience was now only a one-day.  Our entire team, minus us, were already in Florida enjoying the sunshine and pool parties.  Not wanting to let our team down, we boarded our plane and learned that Disney World is shutting down.  Confirming one last time that the competition was still on, we took off for warmer weather praying that this trip would be worth it.  Upon arrival, still apprehensive about our travels, we learned that Michigan schools were closing immediately...but UCA was still happening!

I decided to make the best of this trip, knowing that this may be the only version of "spring break" Allie and I would get to experience this year.  Coronovirus already was making an impact on our lives in ways...little did we know things were going to get much worse.

On Friday, I delivered Allie to her one and only practice and then to our Stingray POOL PARTY!  Some fun in the sun is just what we needed to take our sorrows and uncertainties away.  All gym rules were lifted...meaning we could swim for as long as we wanted to.  In fear that President Trump was going to ground all flights, the thought of having to drive back home was not a pleasant one.  When he made no announcements of this, we swam together and drank fancy popsicle beverages!

Competition day at ESPN is a day that Allie has been dreaming of...little did any of us know that her dreams were about to come true.

Although only fans and family were allowed to view their teams, the Patriot Rays put on their best performance yet!  They HIT!  Our girls showed their best routine, yet.  Their tumbling was beautiful and their stunts were in unison.  They were all smiles!

Coronavirus also robbed us of our awards experience...back at the hotel we gathered in a conference room and watched the UCA announcers report our ranking with the other 7 teams that attended.  After seventh through fourth were announced...I was pretty sure we would be third.  No?  Maybe second then!  When the girls didn't hear their name...they knew right away they had WON...FIRST PLACE!  They had WON!!  MEDALS...and JACKETS!!  Allie's dream came true!  The uneasiness, the worrying, the indecisiveness…was all worth it!

So proud of her team's accomplishments, Allie didn't take off her jacket for the rest of the trip.  It became her coat, her swimsuit coverup, and her pajamas too.  UCA 2020 was not all that it was supposed to be...but nonetheless, one we will always remember.