Inside Chesapeake's first middle school cheerleader championship

GREENBRIER

The first clue Chesapeake's inaugural middle school cheerleading championship is a big deal is the sign outside the entrance at Greenbrier Middle School.

"Sold out. No one admitted without a ticket."

The second clue? Let's just say sis boom bah, this ain't. We're talking stunts, lifts, twists, kicks, girls in the air, pyramids and glitter.

Lots and lots of glitter at the Panther Cheer Challenge.

These girls sparkle, and it's not just because they know how to wow a crowd.

Consider the shiny gold paw print on the faces of each of the Great Bridge Wildcats. More striking is the brilliant purple eye shadow caked on each of the Deep Creek Hornets.

There is no shortage of oversized hair bows, red lipstick and colorful nail polish at this event, either. Primping and ponytails are part of the package.

But cheering at this level is more than about being cute.

"Guys lift weights," said Hornets captain Kelsey Lee. "We lift people."

Nine of the city's 10 middle school teams competed for honors Saturday in front of packed bleachers of parents and friends who cheered for the 180 girls (and one boy) with the enthusiasm of, well, cheerleaders.

Hickory Middle won the largest trophy with a wild-West routine that showed off the Hawks' excellent precision and impressive athleticism.

Western Branch finished second and Great Bridge, third.

Teams from Deep Creek, Greenbrier, Crestwood, Hugo Owens, Indian River and Oscar Smith also participated.

The competition was the brainchild of Greenbrier cheer coaches Jenn Nestle and Megan Eash. Previously, the city's middle schools only had one option when it came to competing, and that was to find events outside of the city.

"We wanted one of our own," Nestle said. "We emulated the Virginia High School League competition and spent several months planning it. This is the end result."

Each team performed a three-minute routine judged for motions, jumps, tumbling, stunts, dance, projection, choreography, transitions, degree of difficulty and overall impression.

Four judges with all-star and collegiate levels of experience scored each of the teams using a rubric that totaled 100 points.

Prior to stepping on the mat, the cheerleaders were on the receiving end of shout-outs, $2 apiece, from their biggest supporters.

"We're so proud of you! Stick it!"

"You rock, Girl. Love, Mommy and Daddy."

Proceeds from the event go to athletics at Greenbrier Middle.

"This is a hard sport, the toughest of them all," said Greenbrier's Karla Creque. "A lot of people don't realize how much dedication it takes. If you fall on your face and get a busted lip, you get up and keep doing what you're doing."

"Sometimes you get hurt," Western Branch's Cassidy Robinson, wearing a wrist brace, said with a shrug.

"Conditioning for this is crazy," said Crestwood's Alexus Wisotzkey.

"All people see is the finished product, and we make it look easy," said Western Branch's Maddie League.

Talk to Macy Webber about the Hickory team, its Hawk Wild routine or cheerleading in general and she repeats the same sentences.

"Love it. Love it. Love it all."

Her teammate Kayla Lemke calls performing "a rush. It definitely pumps us up."

Like most teams, Hickory has rigorous two-hour practices at least three times a week. Strength training and cardio are essential.

The Hawks boasted the only male competing on Saturday, sixth-grader Mikey Maulding.

Unlike his teammates adorned with silver eye shadow and giant hair bows, Maulding showed his spirit by coloring his spiked hair green.

A veteran tumbler already, he loves being part of such an energetic sport that allows him to hang out with a festive group of girls.

"I went to a new school this year and that could have been hard," he said. "But I had 25 friends right away."

Vicki L. Friedman, (757) 222-5218, vicki.friedman@pilotonline.com