Greater Columbus Events, Team News

Nerves of Steel?

My 6 year old daughter had her first cheerleading competition last Sunday. It was nice to be able to take a day off from showing homes and holding an Open House, but I was not prepared for the emotional journey I was about to take. As thousand of spectators, parents and cheerleaders poured into St. John Arena at the Ohio State University, I began to wonder. “Is she going to forget her routine? Is she going to see all of the people watching her and not want to go out and perform? How will she react?” All these thoughts raced through my mind as her coach, an Ohio State Cheerleader, lead her and her 2 teammates on the floor. My heart was racing, I was so nervous for her. Sweat was beginning to accumulate on my forehead as I anxiously watched from my balcony seat. The 3 performers got set and then began to perform what they had practiced for the last 6 months as if they were in their own gym. They did great and I was so proud! But, I was also extremely relieved. After the award ceremony, my little cheerleader came up to the stands, where I was re-hydrating myself from all the perspiration that my clothes absorbed making me feel like a walking “ShamWow”. As I “high five-ed” her and picked her up to give her a big hug, I asked my daughter if she was nervous performing in front of all those people. Her reply was, “No, why would I be nervous?” A bit puzzled and taken back by her response, the remainder of the day I pondered, “Do children at this age have “nerves of steel” or just too young to know any better?” What do you think?