Q: When is a competitor no longer eligible to compete at the Beginning Level?
A: After they have won five first place trophies in that event. It does not matter at what level the first place was earned. If they won all five first place trophies at the Intermediate Level, they would no longer be able to twirl at the Beginning Level, but they would be eligible to compete at the Intermediate Level until they won five more trophies in the Intermediate or Advanced Levels of that event. Second place trophies in the Advanced Level do not count.
Q: How does this apply to teams?
A: The same rules apply to teams. If a team has won five first place trophies, they may not twirl at the Beginning Level. In this case, however, it does not matter if they were earned in the Twirl Team or Dance Twirl Team category.
Q: A competitor has 20 trophies in Solo and is just starting to compete in 2-Baton. Shouldn’t they have to start at the Advanced Level?
A: No. The trophy count begins at zero with each new event. That competitor could begin at the Beginning Level.
Q: An athlete also competes at another organization’s competitions. Do those trophies count?
A: Yes, they do. This also applies to teams.
Q: What if there are no other competitors in the category?
A: Individuals do NOT have to count that win if there are no other competitors in their division. This also applies to teams.
Q: What about Novice?
A: A competitor may compete at the Novice Level until they have earned one first-place trophy at any level in that event.
Q: What about First Contest Beginner Solo?
A: An athlete may only enter that event the first time they compete in Solo at a contest. After that, they may never enter that event again. If they win, it does NOT count as a win in Solo.
Q: Does a Divisional Twirloff win count as a first place win?
A: No, it does not.
Q: Shouldn’t a team get to start from scratch at the beginning of each season?
A: No, not unless 50% or more of its members change. Awards are cumulative over the years.
Q: What is the penalty for breaking this rule?
A: It is up the competitors, their coaches, and their parents to keep track of the athletes’ or teams’ first-place wins. It would be very time-consuming for the twirling organizations to monitor this. Competitors are on the honor system here.
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