The ACS Cheer Team was recently named the National Grand Champion in The ONE Finals School Cheer Division, Junior High Intermediate Level. The exciting announcement, a first for any ACS cheer team in school history, was made on June 4.
A panel of judges chose the Grand Champions in several divisions and levels after holding a virtual round of competition where they reviewed video footage of the routines of the ACS Cheer Team and four other teams who had won in their category at regional competitions this spring. The ACS Cheer Team won first place in their category at THE ONE Cheer and Dance Finals held April 2-3 in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
“It was a whole new level of excitement, shock, and surprise when we heard Atlantic Christian School’s name announced as the winner,” said cheer team head coach Morgan Gibson, who watched the announcement while gathered with members of the cheer team and their parents. “Whether we had won or lost I was so proud of every middle school and high school student who participated this year and I can’t wait for the next season to begin.”
Gibson also said she was grateful to assistant coaches Kelly Flynn and Michelle Wheeler for the hundreds of hours they dedicated to making the team the best it could be and for building a sisterhood within the team.
Congratulations to the 26 members of the team, who will all receive championship jackets: Ashlee Alford, Isabell Alford, Ava Barberio, Annalena DiMaio, Rebecca DiMaio, April Eaves, Gianna Flynn, Mackenzie Flynn, Makenzie Fresh, Kylie Jackson, Abby Kelley, Rielly Kisielewski, Ava Lombardi, Autumn Loo, Kiera Loo, Ja’Niyah Martin, Jadelyn Maurer, Lydia McCarthy, Tara McCorkle, Heather Milstead, Sophia Puglisi, Chelsie Richards, Haven Sanchez, Isabella Santos, Makayla Tomlinson, and Anyae Welch. ACS will also receive a championship banner to hang in the school gym.
This year’s team did not have any students in 11th or 12th grade, which allowed the team to compete in the Junior High Intermediate Division, but Gibson expects the team to move up into the Varsity Division of competition next year.
Gibson also noted that they plan to hold tryouts for the Varsity competition team in the summer, likely in the last week of July. Details about the tryouts will be sent by email to school families and posted in the ACS Facebook Group “Stronger Together.” After the team is selected, the cheerleaders will practice once or twice a week starting in August. Gibson said she will also offer walk-on tryouts in September and October for students who newly enroll in the school.
