Bring the bid home California state wrote: You probably hear about CF more because worlds gets more attention and bigger every year. I dont think anyone is forgetting about American because everyone loves AMERICAN.
Unfortunately, the "bigger" it gets in numbers, the smaller it gets in prestige to me. Worlds is getting out of control. Really, its still an honor to say I won a Worlds title whether there are 10 teams or 100 teams in the division. But, being able to say I was a competitor at Worlds sure doesn't sound as impressive when there are 100 teams compared to when there are only supposedly the 10 best teams there.
But either way, American and Cheerforce, have definitely earned the bragging rights that go along with winning a Bronze at Worlds.
I think "bragging rights" is the perfect term! Sometimes these boards feel like only some teams get to brag and others are constantly slammed. I ALWAYS have loved American! Who is on a team is as important as everything else, right? Funny thing.....there was a little jr team in so cal (no big name) with a good jr team that beat both american and outlaws. That was SHOCKING! NOW..most of the talent from that little team has gone to CF senior! Interesting, huh? Who knows, in 2 years it will be another "no name" team that stumbles onto some great talent and manages to be good enough business folks to get a good choreographer and coach. If kids don't REALLY want it, as well as the coach, it ain't gonna happen. But for now, I think ANY team that has done well enough to place at worlds at all has "bragging rights" Putting down the current state of the competition doesn't really change that. Worlds is the goal.....still. Anyone who says otherwise Either didn't make it, or isn't able to go for some other reason.
I would agree that there is no longer much prestige in saying that you are a "Worlds Qualifier". That ship has long sailed. The prestige comes from placing high at Worlds. That honor is still there, whether there are 20 teams or 200 teams at the competition.