No, we are not just a sports family. Really.

Recently, Alex competed with her school at the Michigan Science Olympiad Regionals. She has been part of the science club at school for most of the year even though basketball practice conflicted with it in the beginning of the school year.

She had been practicing for months for three events, two of which were build events. She was very excited about the upcoming competition. Then, two weeks prior to the event, she was pulled off of her events and put on three completely different events! Ones that she didn’t have a lot of experience with to begin with. Her teacher (also the Science Club/Olympiad Leader) has a lot of confidence in her abilities which is why the switch. It also meant moving from the “B” team (essentially alternates) to the “A” team.

She missed the first practices of these new events because she had become ill (you know, sore throat, fever, but not strep!). She ended up only having one practice for each event prior to the competition. Talk about pressure!

The night before the competition, she had a basketball practice until 9 pm. It was a grueling, hard practice as they their first tournament coming up quickly. (Finally!) This meant that Alex didn’t get to bed until 10:30 or so, but she did fall off to sleep very quickly.

The morning of the competition had us waking very early. Earlier than on a school day (which is way too early as far as I’m concerned). She had to be at school by 6:10 am to meet with everyone, go over a few things about the day, and then get on the bus and leave.

As she boarded the bus, I wished her luck, and that was the last I heard from her until they returned back to the school around 6 pm. Everyone then headed out for dinner and I picked her up from there. I felt badly that I did not go to the competition, but none of her new events allowed spectators, were back to back, and I knew Phoebe would never be cooperative which would just ruin it for everyone.

How did it go? Alex took home a 3rd, 4th, and 6th place finish for her events. Medals came with all of them. Her school placed 2nd overall which gave her another medal. Four medals in all. They are headed to the State Competition about a month from now. Time for some practice and to step up her knowledge in those three areas.

Yay! Great Job Everyone!