into a round-off, extending my back handspring, and threw a double layout…and controlled the landing without taking a step back.
I smiled from ear to ear, knowing I executed my first pass well and spun around, leaping through the air into a switch ring plus tour jeté full with all my heart. I put on a display, my love for the sport emerging wider and broader as adrenaline pumped through my blood. I couldn't stop smiling, feeling every bit of my choreographed routine I spent countless hours perfecting. Floor could be so technical at times, losing the softness and grace that once went hand in hand with the event. Kova and Madeline were adamant about exhibiting fluidity and elegance, keeping that aspect front and center. They pressed about exhibiting a sophisticated, well-oiled gymnast. And that's what they got from us. From me.
Spotting the corner, I stepped into the half circle drawn with chalk and brought my arms down. I panted, inhaling a deep breath into my lungs and remained calm. This tumbling pass required more steps to gain the momentum I needed. Starting off with small steps, I ran halfway across the space into stronger, longer ones, and punched the floor with both my feet, knees locked straight. Arms raised above my head, I flipped heel-over-head forward into a front layout—my body straight as a board—punching the floor again into a front-handspring, exhausting my shoulders to pop off the floor with all the muscle I could to flip forward into a full-twist. I punched the floor again and finished with a front tuck.
No extra hop or step in my landing. I stuck the tumbling pass. Yes!
A modest smile displayed on my composed face. I had squeezed and tightened every muscle in my core during the tumbling pass, and then even more so at the end to prevent myself from shifting. I wanted to keep the rhythm going but first prove I could settle into clean landings.
With frontward facing passes, a gymnast could rebound so far forward and out of bounds from the power generated if they didn't practice control. Or sometimes end with a leap to cover up the mistake, which never passed the judges keen eyes. They always knew. It was easier to tumble head first than backwards in general, and adding a front tuck to the end of my pass helped control it a bit more for me.
I'd rather tumble backwards. But that was just me.
I spun around on my toes, leg extended high above my head, clutching my ankle. I pulled it firm to my chest and turned in two full circles. For whatever reason, a turn on floor or beam were always harder than any neck breaking tumbling pass out there. It was bizarre. You'd think it would be the other way around.
With tasteful poise and agile paces, I lowered my leg and pivoted a few paces until I was tight to the corner to execute my last tumbling pass, a double back tuck.
Like a colorful ribbon standing out and floating through the chalky air, I concluded with a brilliant smile. A floor routine no more than ninety seconds long, and I was on fire, full of zeal and energy and heavy breaths. God, I loved floor.
Quickly, I saluted the judges and skipped my way toward my team. I did well out there and they knew it, judging by their ecstatic faces. Madeline gave me five and so did Kova, whose arms I jumped into for a hug. My knees bent and my feet came up behind me. It wasn't uncommon for gymnasts to hug their coaches so closely. It was just how things happened and no one questioned it. So much trust and faith went into the dynamics of the coach/gymnast bond. They're the ones who enabled the talent to be freed in the first place.
"Perfection," Kova said with his arms wrapped firmly around my back. He put me down. Laughter caught my attention and applause from Madeline before I made my way to the girls. All of them, even Reagan, gave me an approving smile, high fives, and good jobs.
I was floating on cloud nine. My heart beat faster and faster against my ribs, hardly a second to slow down. I still had one event left to compete, and my score was high enough to qualify Compulsory, even if I made a few mistakes on beam. I glanced into the stands again hoping to see my parents, but it was too tedious squinting at all