Just quoting this one since it's not really about cats.
Point of view from a CEA parent:
Just different philosophies and goals for different gyms. Most (and there are some who don't) parents and kids at CEA understand the bigger prize. Winning a local or regional competition in November-January isn't really that important. What is important is where they are at the end of the season. CEA's coaches do a great job of coaching-up, and getting a particular team ready to move up a level. Usually, by the last competition of the season, if a team is not performing markedly above where they were at the beginning of the season (either a legitimate chance to win in their current level, or moving up and performing a bunch of new skills in a higher division), the coaches do not take satisfaction with the season.
Contrary to popular belief, these L2-3 teams are the pipeline feeding into the countless number of L5 teams at CEA (I didn't include L4, because quite honestly, there are very few L4 teams, as, most of those kids find their way onto a L5 team. Also, I think the only L1 team is a Tiny team). Sure there are several talented kids who join CEA each year, but truthfully, most are not L5-ready until after a hard summer of training with a lot of kids who already are, or who are working very hard to get there. Beach camps, tumbling camps, and team practices get them ready, if not at the beginning of the season, then probably by January.
As parents we get it. We understand where they are trying to get our kids. We understand that in the long-term it's about being coached to be a contender to win a jacket in Dallas or Indy, or ultimately being competitive for a Majors title or a Worlds ring. We understand that it's a marathon and not a sprint. Winning along the way is a bonus, but not why we are in it.
Yes, there are certainly some parents and kids who realize that the long-term goal just isn't for them, and they are content with the other successes that come from this sport. Many of them leave the game to join school teams or focus on other things, but the foundation they have built at CEA certainly goes a long way. I doubt many of them would regret the time spent in the program.
I believe that it is this mindset/philosophy/mission that differentiates CEA from many of the local competitors. To many parents/kids I know at other gyms in the area, winning now is important and that's fine. Certainly the popularity of the CEA brand and the proven success of many different teams gives them luxury of time.