Lehigh Valley Challenged the World in Cheer Competitions

Orlando, FL - Valley Elite All Stars (Bloomsbury, NJ) and World Cup Phoenix (Easton, PA) sent teams to the USASF World Championships April 22nd – 24th. This international event brings together more than 9000 cheer athletes from over 40 countries as the most prestigious All Star Cheer event in the world. To qualify to attend this event, teams must receive invitations (bids) at competitions held around the world and the United States from November 2015 through March 2016.

The Lehigh Valley was well-represented with both teams successfully placing in the top 10 in the preliminary rounds on Saturday to move on to the Semi-Final rounds on Sunday.

World Cup Zenith competed in the Senior Medium All Girl Level 5 division ultimately placing 19th in the US in the Semi-Final round. Their competition included 32 of the best teams from Canada and across the US.

Valley Elite Big Red finished 9th in US and 26th in the World in the semi-final round. Their division the International Open Large Coed Level 5 was a field of 65 teams and their performance bested teams from: Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Canada, England, France, Mexico, Jamaica, Ecuador, Chile and Thailand.

Also held the same weekend was the International Cheer Union World Championships, with one National team from each country participating. The United States National Team had a very strong showing, winning Gold in all of the events they entered.
Team Cheer Hip Hop - GOLD
Team Cheer Freestyle Pom - GOLD
Coed Premier - GOLD
All Girl Premier - GOLD

In addition, Valley Elite All Stars sent two of their younger teams to the US Finals -Virginia Beach on May 7th . Their Junior Division Level 2 team the Junior Mints had a well-earned 5th place showing in their first ever post-season appearance. Valley Elites Junior Division Level 3 team the Twizzlers finished in 1st place and is eligible for Grand Championship placement. The US Finals is unique in that it holds regional competitions and ranks the teams based on their scores at the national level, to be announced in the coming weeks.

Competition Cheer and All Star Competition Cheer has exploded in the past several years and continues to grow. Unlike many organized sports there is room for any athlete of any age, gender and skill level. All Star Gyms hold Open tryouts every May where skills are assessed and athletes are placed on teams closest to their skill and age level. Many gyms also have Special Needs teams where individuals with developmental or intellectual handicaps can participate.

For more information on Valley Elite All Stars, contact them at (908) 388-3088 or http://valleyeliteallstars.com/

For more information on World Cup Phoenix All Stars, contact them at (610) 250-7066 or http://www.worldcupphoenix.com/

Photo 1: Valley Elite All Stars Big Red at Worlds

Photo 2: World Cup Phoenix All Stars Zenith at Worlds

Photo 3: Valley Elite All Stars Big Red Team and Coaches

Photo 4: World Cup Phoenix All Stars Zenith Team -

Photo (L to R):
Floor- Paige Wilkinson, Alex Kugler, Paige O'Connor, Faith Schaffer
Kneeling- Veronica Echeverri, Iolanda Perna, Cat Cornish
Stools- Michaella Wallace, Hannah Cobin, Alexis Shupp, Emily Martinez
Standing (front row)- Ashley Morales, Abby Carthew, Ashley Niland, Lauren Sassaman, Raven Griffin, Victoria Pantaleo, Taylor Zalascek, Naomi Charnley, Lauren Kurtz
Standing (back row)- Tina Luciani, Lauren Knopf, Katelyn Ruth, Audrey Walczak, Cory Seese, Olivia Bellini

Photo 5: USA National Team

Photo 6: Valley Elite All Stars Junior Mints at US Finals

Photo 7: Valley Elite All Stars Twizzlers at US Finals