Cheer teams compete at AT&T Stadium

By Kathy Thomson

Albany Sports Center took three cheer teams to the Varsity Spirit Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders National Championship in Arlington on Saturday, Feb. 1, and along with the team awards, one Albany participant was named for an individual honor.

Albany High School freshman Haily Cox won a “WOW” award.

ASC coach Kandi Ray explained that the judges give the special recognition WOW awards to the team members that most impress them during the competitions. 

“Haily was one of nine people, chosen from of all the team members on all of the teams, who won a WOW award,” said Ray.

Two hundred eighty-eight teams from several states, divided by age groups and abilities, took part in the contest, according to Ray.

“I was very pleased with how our teams performed,” said Ray. “The ASC senior team won first and the elementary team got second.”

Cox is one of 17 members of the ASC senior team.

“There were 16 girls, from 10-16 years old, on our senior team,” said Ray. “We have a 17th member, but she was unable to compete because of an injury. Softball and other spring activities are coming up, so for many of the senior team members, this was their only cheer competition of the year.” 

The ASC elementary team is made up of 31 second to sixth grade girls.

The ASC show team is an exhibition team, and is not judged.

“My show team has 12 girls from four years old through second graders,” said Ray. “They are just starting out and learning the fundamentals. They aren’t doing tumbling yet.”

Ray said that her students are from Albany, Moran, Woodson, and Breckenridge.

“I was very pleased with how they performed; they were amazing,” Ray said. “They are a wonderful bunch of girls, and they have worked hard. I am very proud of them!”

Ray plans to take a smaller team to a competition at Sea World in San Antonio on April 4.