The Pinecrest Pilots 2008 Super Midget Cheerleaders had a lot to celebrate on Saturday, November 8. This team of 35 girls ages 9-11 performed a near flawless routine in an effort to defend the title of FYFCA Cheer-Off Champion. Defend it, they did! This first Place Cheer-Off Championship title is this team’s third in four years. “These girls have worked hard this year. They have pulled together as a team and we are so proud of them!” said head coach, Michelle Groat. She and Lisa Dimsdale have been coaching together for four years. This year their coaching staff included Tracy Coggins, Krisy Gilmore and Kelly Gilmore. “We couldn’t have done it without them,” Lisa said. In addition to the first place trophy, the Pinecrest Pilot Super Midget Cheerleaders also earned the title of Large Group Grand Champion. Their score was the highest of the day for cheer squads of 16 or more girls. Many of the girls said they were excited about winning first place, but the Grand Champion title is something they never expected. The FYFCA Cheer-Off Champion title is the second first place trophy this team has won this year. On October 26, they also took home first place at the Antioch Pow Wow. Twenty of the girls on the team have been cheering together for several years. These girls know what it is like to win. They worked hard to prepare themselves and their teammates for another victory. At the same time, this year there were quite a few who had never cheered before. “It is amazing to see what these girls are capable of both physically and mentally. The way they learn the routine, learn difficult stunts and tumbling techniques and perform it all in front of a crowd,” one proud parent commented. These girls and their coaches work hard. Six hours a week of practice that begins in July and continues through the end of November. The girls cheer for their football team every Saturday, with a game time of 12 noon. There is no doubt that cheerleading is sport.
