DURANT, Okla. (KXII) – Elevate Cheer received a bid to compete at Worlds competition in Orlando, the team learned Tuesday night.
The elite cheer team waited together to hear whether they would advance to the competition in April.
“We did get a bid,” said Melanie Knight, head cheer coach.
Team members celebrated with tears and hugs after hearing the news.
Knight said she is proud because this is the first year for an elite division in cheer abilities.
Elite cheer teams, like Elevate, are similar to other squads but with a special difference.
“We have differing abilities, it could be anything from a physical disability, a diagnosis, educational disability, that would keep us from being able to compete on a neurotypical team,” Knight said.
The team’s expectations on the mat remain the same as any other squad. They excel in jumps and tumbling and are preparing to take their talents to the big stage.
The bid required significant effort from the team.
“It took a lot of effort with Mrs. Melanie,” Brileigh Ramsey said.
“They showed resilience, significant resilience, we had a couple of things that didn’t go just right and they didn’t freeze,” Knight said.
Elevate currently ranks as the second-best elite team in the nation.
While the team prepares to compete, one teammate said cheering is not the only thing she looks forward to in Orlando.
“My mom says we can do a couple fun things, like go to Disney World,” Allie Ritzwoller said.
“Even though we have differing abilities we are still capable of doing big things,” Knight said.
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