I concur. I don't coach level 2, but since this VERY publicly affected these amazing level 2 teams I love, I say have at it! Many people skip over the more 'deep-thought' posts for the fluffy ones, and this is a way for more people to read, unfortunately.
Now I watched Rockstar's routine (sorry, I'm using you as my example. But you put it out there for better or worse. And I actually think it's both- better for this discussion to have an actual concrete example, worse for the kids affected who lost to this situation and now I have a slightly bitter taste in my mouth that isn't morning breath). I knew the situation, but even if I didn't, my first thought was 'They have REALLY great technique.' One girl had some SERIOUS speed to her BHS. If I didn't know the situation, then came on here to see that this team was made up of athletes with various higher-level skills, I'd be majorly confused and upset. I know CEA uses crossovers extensively, but from what I've always seen, it's usually the same level, just different age groups (youth 5 to junior 5, junior 5 to senior 5, etc). My problem is there was, publicly, an entire team created of athletes who comprised of 2-5 skills, all pushed together on the lowest level of all the kids chosen. Why not choose level 3? It will forever be the question people think of when they see that routine. It also effectively, in my mind, puts to rest the notion that 'Well, everybody is competing the same level skills so it's all the same.' Well- as long as there's an execution component on the score sheet, it WON'T be all the same. In terms of 'filling out' team size- didn't some team at Cheersport this weekend place very well with only 12 girls (I believe top 4?)