Cheerleaders earn multiple awards

By Sam Waller

Albany High School cheerleaders earned a number of awards, including three all-American selections last week during a home camp conducted by the National Cheer Association.

The camp was held Monday-Wednesday, June 19-21 at the auxiliary gym.

“Camp was very successful,” Albany cheerleader sponsor Nickie Leveridge said. “We learned a lot of material that we will use in the fall for football, but we also learned material that can be used during basketball season. Overall, the camp was really good because it brought us together as a team, and the girls were able to bond.”

As part of the bonding process, the cheer team stayed together at the Trail family’s missile silo.

Cheerleaders Robyn Trail, Lainey Cash, and Myleigh Leveridge earned all-American status. To be considered, participants must be nominated for different skills and try out in front of the instructor, then achieve a target score or above.

Kaisley Bartee and Mimi Ivy were both nominated for All-American, but they did not try out due to injuries.

As a team, Albany received a technical excellence award for stunting in addition to excellent ribbons based on evaluation of band dance, game day cheer, and game day chant.

The JV and varsity squads both received a bid to compete at NCA High School Nationals.

Trail also received the leadership award for America Needs More Cheerleaders.