Being first year going Worlds eligible it doesn't surprise me they are going small. They move cautiously and I would agree going large their first year would be pushing the boundaries for them a bit much. Who knows, maybe large isn't feasible because they don't think they have enough kids overall that can make that jump. If you have 8 solid boys maybe they are concerned about enough girls without depleting the lower level teams because you know they won't sacrifice teams just to make this one.
ETA: Am I mistaken or do you have a different choreographer this year?
**Sometimes I day dream Cheer Son is almost as good as Susie and then reality sets in**