Actually it must be regional - our entire region has always (well, the 7 years my kids competed) had significantly more L8s and L10s than L9s - in fact very few 9s usually and fewer this year as most potential 9s got pushed to L10, JD or out of competition with the new age limits. Still a few young L9s hot shots (we are the smallest region with the fewest coaches....it makes perfect sense that in such a region its harder for kids to move quickly through the levels - very few future stars programs, some states with only a couple of mens teams total...)
Very interesting thread as it points out how very different gymnastics is across regions...