Cheer team wins overall title at San Antonio

Albany Sports Center sent a cheer team and two individual performer groups to compete at the Cheer & Dance/Drill Team America competition at SeaWorld, San Antonio last Saturday, April 6, and all three entries won awards in both their age group and in the overall.

“This was our last competition of the year, and the girls did very well,” said coach Kandi Ray. “The team won the elementary cheer division, got high point overall from among all of the elementary classes, and they were also the overall highest scoring team of the day from all age divisions!”

The local group added to their trophy collection when they were declared the best tumbling team and won the best dance routine from among all of the cheer teams in all ages.

Team members Hattie Jo Braly and Tatum Grady also entered the partner competition where they took the top award in the Elementary Partner Cheer division and earned enough points to be awarded the Grand Championship trophy for being the highest point scoring duo amongst all of the age groups.

Hailey Gleitz also performed a second time. She took to the stage of the SeaWorld Nautilus Theater as a cheer soloist in the Pee Wee age group, and she not only won her class, she was also the highest scoring cheer individual of any age.

The Albany Sports Club Lions team is made up of 21 second through sixth grade girls. Included on the team are 17 local children, one student from Wylie, and three from Breckenridge. 

Assistant coaches for the team are Kourtnee Waters and Lindsey Vaughn.

“The ASC Lions were undefeated this year, and that was a first for me,” said Ray. “I’d never had an elementary team go undefeated before.”

Ray added that this group of girls has been exceptionally rewarding to coach.

“This was the most willing group I’ve worked with, and they are truly amazing,” she said. “They work hard and were willing to try to do everything I asked of them.”

Their parents were also a great bunch to work with, according to Ray.

“I am so grateful that they allowed me to work with their wonderful children,” said Ray. “And a lot of the parents were also hard at work behind the scenes, to help bring everything together.”

There was one disappointing part of the contest, according to Ray.

“One of our girls broke her foot the week before and couldn’t compete with the team, ” said Ray. “It was really a shame, and I am so sorry for her, especially because she is one of my best tumblers. But she was able to be there and lead her team out on the stage.”

In addition to those already listed, members of the ASC Lions include Kaisley Bartee, Artie Bell, Jeracho Box, Tara Cauble, Carsyn Clegg, Avery -Gleitz, Leah Glick, and Kamryn Graham.

Also on the team are Paisley Herring, Mimi Ivy, Abby McBee, Ashlyn Miller, Peyton Noble, Sawyer Shoaf, Madeline Stapp, Paisley Thibodeaux, Kam-den Tidwell, and Charli Trail.

The entire group will have a short break during the off season, and then they will start working on skills for next year.

Sign-ups will start again in May, and those needing to register can call Ray at 325-762-6511.