The ACS Gym was a busy place the last week of August as some 25 middle school and high school girls turned out for tryouts to become members of the ACS Cheer Team. The Cheer Team achieved national recognition last spring after competing in several meets and being named the national grand champion in The ONE Finals School Cheer Division, Junior High Intermediate Level.
Head coach Morgan Gibson said the students selected to this year’s team will be announced during the first week of school, but walk-on tryouts for new students will be held until the end of September.
“We’re very excited about taking our Cheer Team to the next level and competing in a different division this year,” Gibson said. “We want to make sure that any new students have the opportunity to tryout and be part of the team.” Faculty member Michelle Wheeler will once again join Gibson as an assistant coach.
On August 28 and 29, the students met for tryout practice, perfecting their tumbling skills and pyramid building. The tryout was held on August 31 before a panel of three judges — Ashley Gatto, Heather Kern, and Mariah O’Connor. Gibson said each of the judges had extensive experience as competitive cheerleaders and that each student received a score based on their individual performance.
Once the team roster is finalized, Gibson said the team will meet once a week in the early fall to begin working on choreography. Regular cheer team practice for four days a week will get underway in November and the season will conclude in early April.
For more information about the Cheer Team, please contact Coach Gibson at mgibson@acseht.org
