3 earn All-American honors

By Sam Waller

Three members of the Albany High School varsity cheerleading squad earned All-American honors during their recent summer camp.

Head cheerleader Ella Webb, Brooke Kayga, and Robyn Trail were honored during the team’s home camp, held Monday-Wednesday, June 20-22 with the National Cheerleaders Association.

“At the cheer camp, the NCA  instructor selected the girls to try out for All-American,” Albany cheerleader sponsor Nickie Leveridge said. “All 10 cheerleaders were given the opportunity to try out.”

Leveridge said All-American status is achieved by meeting a variety of criteria.

“You have to have outstanding cheer jumps and do three jumps,” she said. “You have to perform the All-American cheer with no mistakes, and you have to have outstanding spiriting."

Also during the camp,  Albany cheerleaders were rated on dance, cheer, and chant performances.

“During our three days at cheer camp, we received a superior rating on BAND dance, a superior rating on game day cheer, and an excellent rating on game day chant,” Leveridge said. “The cheerleaders also received the Herkey team award and the technical excellence award for stunts.”

The cheerleaders learned new cheers and dances to perform during the upcoming school year.

“We learned three dances, two cheers, and two chants,” Leveridge said. “They worked on perfecting their stunts and just preparing for the upcoming football season.”