Published: November 16, 2008 11:24 pm            

Fun is the real victory at cheer championships

Winning a state championship is only part of cheerleading’s thrill for 6-year-old India Staller.

“I love everything,” the Cobra Allstars Mini team member said Sunday, clutching her medal after the Pennsylvania State Cheerleading Championships wrapped up at Cambria County War Memorial Arena.







For India, performing the routine was the best part of the weekend.

“My favorite stunt is where I do the scale,” she said, standing on one foot and holding her other leg straight and pointed skyward.

The Cobra Allstars of South Fork took two championships during Sunday’s competition.

In addition to the Mini’s top honor, the Cobras Small Senior Level 3 team took a championship.

“This is the best,” senior team member Shannon Taylor said. “It feels good.”

Both teams advance to the All Spirit National Championship competition Dec. 7 at Hershey.

Shannon’s teammate, Miranda Labosky, said she’ll be ready for the trip, despite a broken wrist suffered in rehearsals for the Johnstown competition.

“I can’t wait,” Miranda said.

“I’ll have my cast off by then.”

Coach Weslie Altemus said she stresses the fun and friendship of cheerleading during Cobras’ practice.

“They learn to be a team,” Altemus said. “It’s important to learn how to get along and work together.”

Turner’s Allstars of Johnstown netted the outstanding squad award in the Mini division with its first-place Level 2 team’s performance, adding first places Large Youth Level 3 and Coed Level 4 divisions.

Ford City’s Twist and Shout Academy walked away with five first-place awards and four outstanding overall squad honors.

        

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