Story Created:
Apr 19, 2009 at 10:57 PM CDT
Story Updated:
Apr 19, 2009 at 11:02 PM CDT
Not a sport? Try telling these girls. The Elite Athletics junior cheer team is gearing up for a trip to the world championships. These high flyers are ready to roll, and prove they are the best in the Midwest.
A cross between gymnastics and traditional cheerleading, throw in a little dance, aerobics, and what you've got is competitive cheer.
Elite Athletics owner Doug Lutz said, "the things these kids are doing, at the age they are, if you don't think those are athletes you've got a little problem going on."
Once only considered a hobby cheerleading has come a long way.
Freshman Briana Blackwell said, "it's a sport! athletes lift weights, but cheerleaders lift people."
3rd grader Sydney White said, "I mean cheerleading is an awesome sport. I really really enjoy it."
Topping over 200 of the Midwests best teams, Elite Athletics junior team is representing the region for the first time ever at the world championships.
Lutz added, "this is the olympics of cheerleading, the biggest there is."
Ages 8 to 16, these 25 talented tumblers from all over the Ozarks have put in the time and are ready to reap the reward.
Lutz said, "this is not a come her put your boe on and look cut kind of team. They work hard year round to get to this point."
Months, even years of hard work, it's time to take on the world.
White said, "I'm going to do awesome!"
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