Taking a more local stage, teams ranging from Sparks to Explosion competed at Gardner Webb University this weekend. A competition Cheer Energy has attended almost every year since its beginning, the event was located just 45 min away and always offers the opportunity for family members that are not able to travel far distances to come and support their favorite athletes. In addition, the cheerleaders were able to interact and compete against their friends in their schools or communities. Around our area, we as small gyms encourage our athletes to see each other as friends on and off the mat.
"Success is not built on success. It's built on failure. It's built on frustration. Sometimes its built on catastrophe." -Sumner Redstone
Because we are currently in the thick of competition season, it is often hard to realize how far the athletes have come since the beginning of practices in June. Every single athlete has worked hard, physically, emotionally, and mentally, to get to the point they are today. They come in every week to fall, fail, and learn new things; yet they pick themselves back up to be their very best. During practices of full outs, conditioning, drills, and struggles, it is often difficult to stay motivated to continue. Cheerleading is mistaken as easy, but as we all know it is anything but. We as a program want to congratulate our athletes for the major milestones they have surpassed thus far. The success of today should serve as encouragement to continue to work hard. Not every performance is going to be easy, but with dedication, they will be worth it.
At All Day Championships the teams hit new and improved routines, focusing on driving up technique and difficulty scores. Sparks (STiny1) hit the floor for the first time since showcase and performed a stunning routine. With athletes aging 5-6, for many it was their first ever competition and the beginning of their successful cheer career ahead. Coaches Brittany, Autumn, and Katelyn want to congratulate the girls and boys for working so hard and putting on an amazing performance.
Atomic (SM1), again, came out with a bang for their 2nd competition of the season. Their sass took over the room and their love for one another continues to be evident on and off the mat. Perfecting their routine was their main focus of this competition, and that they did!
Making major leaps and bounds this season, Fusion (SY1) put on yet another great routine this weekend. Placing top 3 in their division, these athletes fought their way through a tough division with confidence.
Voltage (SJr3) is a force to be reckoned with this season as they continue to impress us with their ever-improving routine. Showcasing a new opening, basket section, and pyramid, the ladies have been working hard at practice over the past month and it shows! Keep up the hard work this season and encouraging others to be their best.
After making changes since last competition and drilling to perfection, Ignite's (SSr2) routine shocked us all as they gave an performance beyond what we have seen before. Congrats ladies on your first perfect routine of the season!
Impulse (SSr3) has grown tremendously throughout this season and continues to reach their full potential. Attitudes were at an all-time positive high this weekend as they depend on one another through their successes and failures. The leadership taken on this team to encourage others to be their best and work together has blown the coaches away. This weekend Impulse may not have hit a perfect routine, but our love for them continues to grow.
Because of their dedication to one another, determination, to be the best, and ability to make changes best for the team, Blackout (SSr4) took home the title of Grand Champions. The performance was by far the best of the 2018-19 season with ZERO DEDUCTIONS. Although the past few weeks may not have been easy, your hard work was worth it this weekend as you took home some pretty awesome banners.
Wrapping up the day was Explosion (Special Needs) with their awesome routine, leaving the arena filled with joy. They received a standing ovation from the crowd and took home 1st place.
We want to thank all the family and friends that came to support the athletes this weekend. Our next competition will be Spirit Solutions in Greenville, SC where all teams will be competing.
"In the 2 months I have been coaching at Energy, I have been blown away by the work ethic of these kids. I can't wait to see how far they go." -Coach Madison
Results of the Day
Sparks: 2nd Place
Atomic: 1st Place
Fusion: 2nd Place
Voltage: 1st Place
Ignite: 1st place
Impulse: 2nd Place
Blackout: 1st Place & Level 3-4 GRAND CHAMPIONS
Explosion: 1st Place