Peewee cheer team from Deptford took 1st place at Battle at the Boardwalk this past weekend.
ATLANTIC CITY - A Deptford peewee cheerleading team took first place during a national competition held in Atlantic City this past weekend.
The Deptford Elite Team is a recreational cheerleading group that is part of Deptford Midget Football and Cheerleading. The cheer team consists of 38 girls that are split by age into two teams, peewee (ages 6 to 11) and junior (11 to 13), and is coached by volunteers from the local South Jersey area.
The Deptford Elite's peewee cheer team poses after winning first place in the respective group during the Battle at the Boardwalk in Atlantic City on February 7, 2016. (Courtesy Photo) The Battle at the Boardwalk, which took place at the Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall, hosted nearly 300 cheerleading teams from across the country. There were various levels of competition and age groups participating at the two-day event. Each team typically performed one routine, less than three minutes, for a chance to not only win their respective group but also qualify to compete in the U.S. Finals.
Both groups from the Deptford Elite Team competed yesterday showcasing a mix of tumbles, stunts and tosses for their routines. And although it was the young athletes first year competing at a national level with a completely revamped routine, they did incredibly. The junior team has qualified for nationals and the peewee team won first place in their category.
"We knew they would be doing some cool things this season," said Tony Fryckberg, whose daughter, Alexis, competed on the peewee team. "...they totally outpaced themselves and are going to the US Finals."
Tiara Green, who is the volunteer head coach of the team, explained how everyone was nervous because this was the first time the cheerleaders had performed in front a larger audience, but the girls hard work paid off.
Green said the girls were extremely excited on their win, but immediately asked, "are we going to the US finals?"
The decision to compete at the national level has presented the cheer team with some new challenges, though. The team has to pay for each competition on their own, with this past competition costing $105 per team member. This has led to a lot more fundraising events to help raise funds to ease the costs of competing. Luckily for the coaches and the girls, the parents have been a huge support to the team.
"Our Parents are amazing, they go above and beyond," said Green.
Kim Hummel, another team parent, along with other parents have already held several fundraising events ranging from cookouts to selling flowers to help the team pursue their goals. She explained that as much as the girls have bonded together as a team, so have the parents come together to support them.
The Deptford Elite Team will continue to train for upcoming competitions with the Mid-Atlantic Cheer Company Nationals in Wildwood in March and the US Finals in Virginia Beach, VA this May.
"It's a pleasure to coach them," said Green. "They're so young and accomplishing so much already."
Anthony Medina may be reached at amedina@njadvancemedia.com. Follow South Jersey Times on Twitter @theSJTimes. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.