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    To be an all-star cheerleader

    To be an all-star cheerleader

    Photo By Tech. Sgt. Robert Barnett | The arctic warrior all-star cheerleaders consist of students chosen from regular...... read more read more

    JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, AK, UNITED STATES

    03.05.2014

    Story by Staff Sgt. Robert Barnett 

    Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Public Affairs   

    JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska - Cheyanne Eichelberger walked out onto the mat and stared at the crowd during the “Top of the World” cheerleading and dance championships at the Wendy Williamson Auditorium at the University of Anchorage, Alaska, Feb. 7. For a moment, stage fright gripped her. It was her first competition; she was nervous.

    She felt the other cheerleaders get into their positions around her; she felt the trust. They were in this together; they walked onto the mat together, and they would walk off together.

    As their coach, Kristen Bryant, had said, their goal that day was to gain experience and get a feel for competition. Their cheer squad had formed late in the season, so their focus wasn’t on winning.

    Eichelberger and the other girls in arctic warrior all-star cheerleading squad out of Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, went into action. And to their surprise: they won first place for their division.

    “We won first place,” said Eichelberger, the oldest of the girls at 13. “The large crowd was very scary, but you get to do it together. A lot of hard work and dedication paid off.”

    All-star cheerleading is one of several 673d Force Support Squadron instructional programs. It is a competitive, co-ed sport. Bryant teaches cheerleading classes, and coaches the Arctic Warrior All-Star Cheerleading squad alongside those.

    “The competition squad is invitation-only based on skills, attitude, commitment and other determining factors,” she said.

    It isn’t to be confused with regular cheerleading for a sports team, Bryant said.

    “All-star cheerleading is a sport in itself,” the cheerleading coach said. “They don’t cheer for a sports team — they are the team. They are a competitive squad that competes in competitions in the local area.”

    Bryant describes the only all-star cheerleading program on base as a combination of gymnastics, dance and acrobatics. Bryant herself has approximately 12 years of coaching youth, high school and all-star cheerleading, and a total of 20 years of experience in the sport.

    “I do it because I loved it when I was growing up,” she said. “I was passionate about it; I just loved all aspects of cheerleading. I work with the kids because I really enjoy watching them fall in love with the sport. I like to provide an opportunity for kids to learn about cheer and to experience it and enjoy and love it the way I did.”

    Although the cheerleading practices are year-round, the competitive season this year runs from August to March.

    “We came in late in the season; other squads had started in August and had their first competition in October,” Bryant said. “We knew we were coming in against squads that were more experienced. We just wanted to have fun and get a feel for what it’s like to be on the mat. Watching the other squads, we didn’t know how we were going to do. We were just really happy when we put out because we had not had much time to prepare, so there was a lot of pressure.”

    Eichelberger said she wants to make a career out of cheerleading.

    “I want to join the National Cheerleading Association,” Eichelberger said. “It’s not like other sports. It takes a lot of strength. You can do it your whole life – it’s fun; you stay in shape.”

    Her parents said they support her decision.

    “I let her get involved in anything she wants,” said Lisa Sheets, Eichelberger’s mother. “I want her to enjoy things that I wasn’t able to when I was growing up. She loves it.”

    “We’ve developed a family bond which is really nice to have with other squadmates,” the 13-year-old said. “The trust is there; the trust is real.”

    “The girls just went out there and blew me away, it was amazing,” the coach said. “I knew they would do well, but they were so comfortable and really in their element. They did everything like they were supposed to. They were obviously very nervous but it didn’t hinder their performance. They were outstanding; it was amazing to watch. I told them to go out there and do their best, and that’s all they can do. They did their best and they were outstanding.”

    For more information on cheerleading on JBER, contact Susan DeDionisio, 673d FSS instructional youth program manager, 384-7482.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 03.05.2014
    Date Posted: 03.09.2014 14:29
    Story ID: 121748
    Location: JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, AK, US

    Web Views: 89
    Downloads: 0

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