Yorkville’s own Spirit Cheerleading started an Elite All Star Cheerleading program just a short 7 years ago. This is the equivalent of a private club sport. Although these teams do not actually crowd lead any other sport they are competitive, travel out of state several times a year, and attend many other local competitions. The owners Kristy and Ken Abney have built this program from the ground up, with hopes and dreams of taking their athletes to Varsity’s Summit competition and one day the Worlds competition. Well they have done it! Since the inception of the D2 Summit (a competition just for small gyms), three years ago, Spirit has sent teams every year. This is an invitational competition only. With the growth of the athletes and the strength of the coaches, Spirit has trained their first ever, Level 5 Senior Coed WORLDS team. All of the athletes have grown in their skills, strengths and tumbling abilities. This small gym has improved every year, with every team earning Summit invitations for the last three years. This year our Level 2 youth athletes (known as Inspire) upgraded their invitation to a paid bid (yep, that is right they are competing for free). Our Worlds team affectionately called O5 or Obses5ion was not only invited to compete at Worlds they also competed on an upgraded paid bid. As I write this, that amazing team is still in Florida and they have advanced to the Finals round. They are proving that they are the best of the best and Yorkville should be proud to have such a successful program building these great athletes and leaders. I can only imagine where this gym will be in 10 years. Good luck to all of these athletes at Worlds in the Finals and the rest of the gym that will be traveling to compete at the D2 Summit in two weeks. If you are interested in seeing what this gym and these Florida bound teams have to offer, come to Yorkville Middle School this Sunday May 6th doors open at 9:30am and the fun begins at 11.
Special thank you to Paradise Car Wash for supporting Spirit.
