KENTVILLE, N.S. — Valley Cheer Athletics in Kentville has won its first Canadian Cheer Evolution National Championships title.
Two of the club’s All-Star teams attended the championships in Niagara Falls, Ont., April 6-7. The International Junior 3 team, Crossfire, was in a 10-team division, having only met one other team in its classification so far this season. The Senior 4.2 team, Bulletproof, was in a six-team class of extra-small entries.
CATCH BULLETPROOF A VIDEO OF BULLETPROOF IN ACTION BY CLICKING ON THIS LINK.
Bulletproof was in first place after day one April 6, and pulled off a zero deductions routine in the final, with the day’s score worth 70 per cent of their total mark, to win.
“I am proud of my girls - a small but mighty team,” said VCA coach Melissa Morrison. “They believed in each other and they believed in themselves - and they did it!”
Crossfire had a zero-deductions run on day one, meeting their own goal, but had a challenging day two, finishing ninth but taking home an outstanding performance award. Many of the athletes are crossovers, meaning they train and compete with both Crossfire and Bulletproof. With one athlete returning from a concussion after a February competition, and another just back on the floor in the past couple weeks following a broken foot, the teams have come a long way.
“We are unbelievably proud of our teams who competed,” said VCA founder and co-president Megan Shepherd. “Crossfire has overcome so much this season and hit a solid routine on day one in a very strong division. They had zero deductions, which is what we set out to do.”
Over 360 teams from across Canada and the U.S. competed at the event, which included school, all-star, demo, dance and specialty cheer divisions.
Valley’s full club season is not over, with a competition April 13-14 and provincials May 4-5. The club hosts its annual showcase at the Kingston Credit Union Centre April 26 at 6 p.m. as a pre-provincials warm-up, also an opportunity for athletes’ family, friends and the public to see all levels of prep and competitive cheer offered at VCA.
Valley Cheer Athletics is in its 11th season of all-star and preparatory cheer programs. This winter, the club certified with Gymnastics Nova Scotia to launch a series of introductory programs. Demand was high with the first sessions announced in March; extra classes were immediately added at almost every level. All-Star cheer placements for Season 12 in 2019-20 get underway June 1; prep programs will start in September. Information on summer day camps, tumbling, cheer and gymnastics sessions may all be found at valleycheerathletics.com.
Did you know?
The club hosts its annual showcase at the Kingston Credit Union Centre April 26 at 6 p.m. as a pre-provincials warm-up, also an opportunity for athletes’ family, friends and the public to see all levels of prep and competitive cheer offered at VCA.
