Friday, March 30, 2007

Soldier Mountain cheerleaders win state competition

Junior All Stars headed to nationals in Anaheim

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By TERRY SMITH
Express Staff Writer

Courtesy photos The Junior cheerleading team of the Soldier Mountain All Stars proudly poses with the first place trophy they brought home earlier this month from the Idaho Challenge Competition. Back row, from left, are Zyler Nutsch, Destiny Guisasola, Brianna Hoskinson, Gabby Nieves, Sierra Sabin, Cheylynn Hansen, Katelyn Peterson, Brittani Hulme, Josie Dawson, Devin Duke and Kandee Christensen. Middle row, from left, Carlie Strom, Madison Marcoullier, Emma Davie and Skylar Davie. In front is Larissa Stewart.

The Junior cheerleading team of the Soldier Mountain All Stars brought home a nice first place trophy earlier this month from the Idaho Challenge Competition at Eagle High School near Boise.

The Soldier Mountain Youth team did almost as well at the March 10 competition, bringing home medals for a second place finish.

Members of the teams are from the Fairfield area or the Wood River Valley. The Juniors are fifth through tenth graders while the Youth team is made up of students from kindergarten through the fourth grade.

The Junior team will compete this weekend at the national competition in Anaheim, Calif. All Stars coach Amanda Norton fielded a Senior team at last year's National All Star Cheerleading Competition in Orlando, Fla. and won fourth place in the Small Squad (less than 20 members) Senior Level Division.

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"I'm really excited," Norton said of the upcoming national competition. "There are nine squads in the Junior division so it's going to be really competitive."

Norton, a former University of Idaho cheerleader and coach at Camas County High School, started the Soldier Mountain All Stars program only two years ago. Although her teams are sometimes short on experience, they've compiled an impressive record the past two years in cheerleading competition.

Earlier this year, Norton's Junior cheerleaders won second place at the Big Sky competition in Pocatello, placed third at the Idaho Cheer Explosion and won third at the "Jazz it up" competition at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City.

Her Youth team placed fourth at both the Big Sky and Idaho Cheer Explosion events but captured second place in Salt Lake City.

The All Stars Tiny team, comprised of youngsters below kindergarten age, placed first at Big Sky.

Norton is interested in recruiting more girls from the Wood River Valley. The All Stars will demonstrate their stunting, dancing and cheering abilities during a demonstration scheduled for 7 p.m. April 27 at Hailey Elementary School. A demonstration is also scheduled for 7 p.m. April 23 at Camas County High School.

For more information, Norton can be reached at 208 720-4306.