Via Community News Service, a University of Vermont journalism internship, on assignment for the Winooski News
MILTON — At just 18 years old, Cara Huntley founded her first cheerleading team at Winooski Middle School. Now, 25 years later, Huntley co-owns Xtreme Cheer Altitude, the only All Star cheer organization in Chittenden County.
About 40 cheerleaders from across the county will come together in a few days to begin the new season. All Star cheer works like travel soccer: Athletes aren’t representing any particular schools, and they venture far from Vermont to compete. After winning two first place prizes at nationals last season, the coaches and athletes with Xtreme Cheer want to carry the momentum forward.
“I am hoping to be more successful and for the team to be more cooperative,” said 13-year-old cheerleader Scarlette Matton.
Matton began cheering at school about a year and a half ago after her mom suggested it.
“It pulled me away from my problems,” Matton said.
The seven cheer teams under the Xtreme Cheer Altitude umbrella include athletes from ages 3 to 19 across several skill levels.
In the lead-up to tryouts, kids gathered at the organization’s gym in Milton to brush up on their technique. Coaches supervised practices, challenging the group to attempt tricks like a Valdez — launching into a back walkover from a seated position. Experienced cheerleaders danced alongside the younger group, teaching them a routine.
Tryouts, which took place at the end of June, are no cut. Athletes test their skills of jumping, tumbling, dancing and stunting. Coaches score each skill and hold a short interview with each cheerleader after the fact. Using their notes, they determine the best team, or teams, for each person.
Between tryouts and the beginning of the season in late July, cheerleaders work on building their fundamentals and conditioning. Xtreme Cheer Altitude brings in a personal trainer to work with the group.
“It gives kids an opportunity to get into the gym and keep learning new skills and be involved in cheer,” said Huntley. “But once the end of July comes, on July 28 our season officially starts.”
From there, cheerleaders are taught choreography and prepare for competitions.
Glittering in purple and teal uniforms, the kids will step onto the mat to perform. The skills they worked on come together in one routine — filled with synchronized jumps, high kicks and soaring aerial stunts.
“I like being with friends and the comps, even though they are nerve racking,” said Brooke Marcoux, a 13-year-old cheerleader with two years of experience.
Marcoux initially began as a gymnast but decided to take up cheer to build new skills.
Competitions begin at the end of December and run until late May. The comps are the culmination of the work that begins in the summer.
“I love seeing the kids out on the mat once they have the routine down,” said coach Kiley Ashley. “They get to be their best selves and shine on the mat.”
Ashley has been coaching cheer for four years and currently coaches the senior team at Xtreme Cheer Altitude. She began cheering as a student at Fairfax Middle School.
Along with coaching, Ashley helps run some of the background work at the organization, including using her knowledge of the scoresheet to help with tryouts and choreography. In the past, the coaches have opted to purchase choreography — this year, they’ll be starting from scratch.
“I’m hoping to help the behind the scenes run smoothly,” Ashley said.
When Xtreme Cheer Altitude started, there was only one other All Star organization in the state. Now, there are a handful, scattered across the state. Huntley said she knows many of the people at each organization.
“We just really wanted to expand in cheerleading, and so we all kind of branch out and start our own programs,” Huntley said. “It’s great because when we go to competitions, a lot of the Vermont teams are there too.”
Huntley sees her role as more than just a coach in the gym.
“I want to raise amazing human beings,” Huntley said. “You are cheering for yourself,” she said later.