ST Mary’s Primary School, Ipswich, has led the cheers at this year’s World Cup Cheer and Dance Cheerleading Schools Nationals Competition when they were crowned Level 1 Grand Champions.
The group of 30 students, who only began cheerleading at the beginning of the school year, took out first place in the Primary Co-ed Level 1 category to become 2014 National Champions in their division.
They performed a three-minute team cheerleading routine complete with lifts, stunts, jumps and a pyramid in front of judges and a huge crowd who gathered at the Boondall Sports Centre.
The students, along with their coaches Kerri Vellacott, Mikaela Kranz and Ayla Machin, were delighted with their results.
“This means that St Mary’s gained the highest overall in points scored in Level 1 – Primary and Secondary,” Ms Kranz said.
Ms Vellacott said the team assembled in Term 1 and with no previous gymnastics or cheerleading experience everything was a challenge for them.
“We came up with a name for the team – SMP Blaze – and then it was all systems go,” she said.
“At every training session we could see improvement.”
Ms Vellacott said their first competition was the WCCD Spirit Challenge at the Logan Metro Sports Centre and they delivered a performance with great showmanship and placed fourth in their division.
Next it was off to the Queensland State Showdown where, despite technical difficulties with the music, the team still delivered a remarkable performance and were awarded first place.
“We are all very proud of the commitment, dedication and showmanship that these young students have displayed throughout their competition season,” Ms Vellacott said recently.
“We know everyone at school was as excited as we were.”
