Bishop Ireton Cheerleading Team Wins Honors

By Angela Hope-Eskew

The Bishop Ireton Varsity Cheerleading Team won second place in the large varsity division in a National Championship competition with more than 210 teams.

The competition was March 6 through 9 in Winston Salem, N.C. The Bishop Ireton team competed with teams from North Carolina, Georgia, South Carolina, California, Texas, Hawaii, Kentucky, Maryland and other states.

In December the Bishop Ireton team became the 2012 Christian Cheerleaders of America Virginia Regional Champions and received their bid to Nationals. In February, they became the 2013 CCA Classic Division champions and grand champions over the whole competition.

Every team competing at the National Championship also votes for one team to get the 6-foot National Spirit of Competition trophy for positive attitudes, behavior and support of every team. For the fourth time in five years, the Bishop Ireton cheerleading team was awarded the trophy and received a standing ovation.

Coach Angela Hope-Eskew also was selected the 2013 National Coach of the Year and was inducted into the Christian Cheerleaders of America Hall of Fame.

The team also spends time giving back to the community. For the last five years the team has raised money for the Down Syndrome Association of Northern Virginia, and in October 2012, they were award the Volunteer of the Year award by the organization.