Justus Performs at Stanford Open
Back in January, Justus and I made a trip to the San Francisco Bay Area for his competition at Stanford University’s Stanford Open. Zach, a fellow athlete of Justus’ traveled with us.
We flew in the day before their Level-9 session which gave us an opportunity to attend the Open’s NCAA session where Nebraska, Cal State, Washington and Stanford Universities competed. The Pavilion was rockin’, sounding more like a WWF event than a gymnastics meet. Justus’ meets are comparatively quiet. I think it took Justus and Zach off-guard to see and hear so much enthusiasm from the student body.
The next morning we enjoyed an amazing buffet breakfast at the hotel, and went for a morning stroll along the San Francisco Bay. We also decided to search out a go-cart racepark for a few hours of fun before the big meet. We went to two places – both turned us away either because the boys were too young or Justus was too short. A major bummer. So, we settled for a game of putt-putt!
After catching a late lunch we drove back to campus and made our way into the Pavilion. Justus performed his season-high on Pommels, and tied his season-high on Rings and Parallel Bars. For Level-9, Age 12, he scored first place on Rings and Parallel Bars!
We celebrated by joining other teammates for frozen yogurt near campus. Afterwards, Zach, Justus and I headed back to the hotel where the boys enjoyed late night snacks, pillow fights and wrestling matches on the bed. It was a great day.
Unfortunately, Justus woke up the next morning ill. I mean really ill. I left the boys at the hotel while I ventured to a neighborhood drug store for a solution. We had a long journey home in front of us. I had to find something to keep his stomach malady in check. In the end though, nothing seemed to help. Thankfully, we made it successfully through every security check and leg of the flight without him puking, but it seemed like he was puking in a bag everywhere else. The boys were real troopers.
Below are photos of the trip and video of his performance. Enjoy!
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