Champion Chit Chat

Squad leaders interview their biggest competitors and ask their most burning questions.
Cheer Extreme Allstars' Senior Elite scored their first gold medal in the Large All-Girl Level 5 division at The 2010 Cheerleading Worlds, beating out threetime champs World Cup Shooting Stars, who walked away with the silver. AC organized an interview between both teams, and here's what they had to say!
WORLD CUP SHOOTING STARS FREEHOLD, NJ
Representatives: Taryn Applebaum, Juliette Bronisevsky, Caitlin Clearie, Gianna Pepe, Lauren Pisardk and Lina Zermane
WC: Since cheer is a fan-based sport, do you believe that conversations on Facebook and message boards treat us as celebrities rather than athletes?
CEA: Our fans are our motivation. We want to be inspirational to those who watch us and involve them in our journey. This may result in becoming a celebrity, but we feel that we're athletes. We try to separate ourselves from the gossip and rumors that surround our team and our sport and just do what we love to do - cheer.
WC: How do negativity and po your team's mentality and performance? Which fuels you to be your personal best?
CEA: Attitude affects everything we do. Whether it's before the routine or during the last 8-count, a positive or negative attitude makes all the difference. Our coaches instill the confidence in us that's necessary to complete our difficult routines. We try to ignore negative comments and use them to our benefit. Positivity is always helpful.
WC: Do you believe in team unity over individual excellence? For instance, should one person's ability create a universal image for a team?
CEA: Absolutely team unity. Although it's not in the nature of girls to get along, cheerleading's a team sport, and Senior Elite is a team. One person can't carry a team on their own or identify team image. A team is ultimately a reflection of its coach's style and creativity.



 
WC: Would you classify your gym as more of a dictatorship or democracy?
CEA: Although our coaches make the decisions, we're a big part of what goes on in our routines. We have excellent relationships with them, which is a big part of our success. We'd classify ourselves as a benevolent monarchy.
WC: In your opinion, does the crowd affect the outcome of a competition or does the outcome affect the crowd?
CEA: Both. Crowd response affects performance, judging and overall impression. However, the outcome affects the crowd too. To gain crowd support you have to perform.
CHEER EXTREME ALLSTARS SENIOR ELITE, KERNERSVILLE, NC
Representatives: Erica Englebert, Maddie Gardner and Alana Zeitany
CEA: How do you stay highly comp. while promoting good sportsmanshi]
WC: That's an ironic question, because we recently had guests from northern Maryland engage in a clinic and practice with our team. While we're often in a competitive atmosphere, we're always willing to help others achieve greatness as well. We promote sportsmanship by inviting other programs to participate in our pursuit of success because we know we share a common interest. To us, being competitive doesn't mean putting down other teams; instead we strive to help others while still maintaining our competitive nature.
CEA: Do you feel that cultural and regional differences affect performances?
WC: Yes. the northeast has a style all its own. We believe the top competitors in a region dictate that region's style. Like you, in the south, we appreciate your stunting ability, the jumping ability of the southwest, the creative choreography of the west coast and ^e performance value of the northeast.
CEA: If you could write a story that I describes your season, what would it be?
WC: While our season's results are unpredictable, the story would be memorable. We're working hard to keep the Shooting Star tradition alive ... the saga continues.
CEA: How does your team feel about the possible change of team size in the Large and Small All-Girl divisions?
WC: Regardless of the size of teams in Large Senior 5, we strive to put the best routine and athletes we have on the floor. Whether it's 32 or 50 girls, as athletes we don't have much control over the situation and we'll be fine with whatever's decided. No matter the outcome, we're confident our coach will lead us in the right direction.
CEA: How does participation in cheerleading affect your lives?
WC: Cheerleading teaches us time management and to respect others. Overall. it teaches us how to commit to something we love. Shooting Stars builds life-long friendships and bonds that we would've never experienced otherwise.