Cheerleading Worlds

Ever cheerleader has a dream; A dream of hopefully one day being good enough to make it to “Worlds.” Some cheerleaders, if they can afford to dream so big, wish for the day that they will win gold at Worlds, and bring home the rings. One cheerleader from Ohio Extreme Intensity one said, “Being an all-star cheerleader is not only a sport but it’s a lifestyle. For those people who think cheerleading isn’t a sport, I hope they get to the Worlds event on ESPN. Maybe they’ll begin to understand just how difficult competition cheerleading can be.”
In 2004 the USASF and the IASF hosted the first Worlds Cheerleading Championships or “Cheerleading Worlds” at the Walt Disney World Resort as it was taped for the ESPN global broadcast. At the time only 14 of the top selected world teams competed for a World Championship title. Today at the Cheerleading Worlds you will see 60 countries, 5 continents, and over 400 teams in 12 divisions competing for gold.

November 2, 1898 the official birth date of organized cheerleading.
“After 10 years cheerleading — both competition and school cheerleading — I will have the opportunity to perform for the first time on the Worlds stage, surrounded by top athletes from around the globe. I feel honored to be able to represent not only my gym, but also my country.”

It was one of those moments where I wanted the world to stop. I needed time to catch my breath. I clenched onto Jessica’s right hand, my eyes closed tight hoping that if I closed them tight enough I could freeze in that moment. I didn’t want it to end. I wasn’t ready to know yet. I wanted to go to the top of a high mountain and just scream; to let go, to throw everything that was on my shoulders off the side of the cliff and watch it tumble down the rocky edge. Breathe Maddie, inhale, exhale, come-on…
I couldn’t make myself write this piece because in a way this is the how my remarkable season will come to an end. It isn’t that I do not want to share my story, I do, it is...