2024 ICU Pan American & Copa America Cheerleading Championships: Full Schedule and Live Stream Details
December 25, 2024
Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Spreads $24K Worth of Holiday Cheer with Thoughtful Gifts
December 27, 2024
A cheerleading team from Wolverhampton, SA Academy Neon, has stunned the cheerleading community by securing sixth place at the Cheerleading Worlds, despite starting from scratch just months ago.
Competing in the Under 18 Level 5 category, one of the most challenging divisions, the 16-member squad showcased incredible determination and skill at the prestigious event held at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. The Cheerleading Worlds attracts over 10,500 athletes from 25 nations, making this achievement even more remarkable.
Rebuilding From Scratch
The team’s journey to the iconic blue mat was nothing short of extraordinary. According to SA Academy’s cheer director, Lauren Gray, most of the previous athletes had retired, leaving the team to be rebuilt entirely from the ground up.
“Starting from scratch in September, we had to build the team from the basics,” said Gray. Only three athletes on the current team had previous experience competing at the Worlds.
The Dream of Every Cheerleader
Gray emphasized the significance of the Cheerleading Worlds:
“Worlds is the pinnacle of the sport until cheerleading enters the Olympics. It’s every athlete’s dream to perform on the Worlds floor.”
Exceeding expectations, the team not only made it to day two – the finals – but also clinched sixth place, an achievement that left the entire squad overjoyed.
Last-Minute Changes and a Memorable Experience
In a bold move, the team revised their routine on one of the resort’s football fields the night before the semi-finals, aiming to secure their spot in the finals.
Gray shared, “I gathered the team in our villa to break the news, and their reaction was unforgettable. They were screaming and literally collapsed on the floor with excitement.”
For many athletes, this experience was life-changing. “One of our athletes said it was the best thing she’d ever done. She had planned to start university next year but is now considering a gap year to do it all over again,” added Gray.
Looking Ahead to 2025
With another competition scheduled for late June, SA Academy Neon aims to secure their bid for the 2025 Cheerleading Worlds, continuing their legacy of excellence.
“I believe we’ll see even more growth from this team,” said Gray. “Our hope is to secure another Worlds bid and keep building on this success.”
