At the last meet we attended, first place AA at L5 for the 7-8s was a 57 and change, first place for the 9-10 L5s was a 61 and change, and the 11+ winner had an eye-popping 65.5. Granted it was a small meet, but I don't think that's way off from what we've seen this year (though at some meets my vague memory is that the top scores in the youngest and second-youngest groups were closer). At some meets, the top score goes to that middle age group rather than the youngest, depending on whether that-gym-that-keeps-the-guys-at-L5-forever is there.
There are, I would guess, about 5 of the youngest L5s in our state who are breaking 60 this year. Their form is probably as good or better than some of the best older guys, but they just do not have the strength and size yet. (None of our little guys are in this group, in part because they don't compete bonuses unless and until they have excellent -- not just good -- form on the basic skills.)
What I think I know after a whole year and a half of owning and operating a boy who's going to meets (and, more importantly, getting to know the parents of our optional boys and the director of our boys' program) is that there are multiple ways to get there successfully for the guys. For the girls, yes, she does have to be getting to optionals pretty early to have a shot at going elite or getting a college scholarship unless the girl is quite exceptional. Lots of pressure, then, to move through compulsories and get the skills if a girl, her coach, and/or her parents has/have ambitions.
For the guys, though, some gyms keep them in compulsories longer and move them up slowly, and a couple or even three years in a level is not uncommon. Some gyms enthusiastically take guys who are starting gymnastics for the first time in their tweens or early teens and put 'em right on team and progress them one level per year. Our head coach has said many times that he hates compulsories, so his goal is to teach the little guys the routines well enough that they can do them competently but spend more time learning skills and developing them toward optionals so he can plunk 'em in L8 as soon as they're old enough. (His motto is, "If you're shaving, you're an optional!") So for example last week, our little guys were working on giants in straps rather than trying to get just a little more height in their tap swings so they could pick up those virtuosity tenths at states. The interesting thing is that these different approaches all seem to work, in terms of producing gymnasts who can succeed as optionals.
Azgymmiemom, congratulations! That is outstanding!
