ORLANDO, Fla. (KWTX) – Two Central Texas cheer programs returned home with medals from the All-Star World Championship, one of the sport’s biggest events that draws elite teams from around the world.
The All-Star World Championship 2026 was held April 16-19 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, and is widely considered the pinnacle of the competitive cheer and dance season.
Powerhouse All-Stars in Belton brought home two gold medals.(Courtesy Photo)
Belton’s Powerhouse wins two golds
Powerhouse All-Stars in Belton brought home two gold medals.
Its Junior Medium Level 1 team, GODSPEED, won gold with a score of 99.25 — the highest score across the entire competition — with a roster of 30 athletes. The team is now headed to The Summit in two weeks as the reigning Junior 1 champions.
Powerhouse’s Junior Medium Level 3 team, CHOSEN, also won gold, and also rostered with 30 athletes. The team entered the “99 Club,” an honor for teams scoring 99 or higher.
Powerhouse All-Stars in Belton brought home two gold medals.(Courtesy Photo)
“This is what we work for,” the program said in a statement. “We are so incredibly proud of every athlete and the commitment they have shown this season.”
Finley Rosenbaum, 15, a cheerleader at Powerhouse, said the teams believed they could deliver under pressure.
“Taking home two gold medals feels so unreal, but at the same time we knew what we were capable of,” Rosenbaum said. “GODSPEED and CHOSEN walked on that mat with a purpose. It was challenging competing with teams from all over the world but hard work, pressure and team unity builds champions and we came to prove it.”
Axtell team earns silver in fourth year of elite cheer
In Axtell, Beauty N Grace Studio — a smaller, D2 gym — also medaled in Orlando.
The gym’s Senior Small Level 3 team, LADY GRACE, finished as silver medalists. The team, coached by Hannah Welch, Joey Davila and owner Amy Gordon, has 23 athletes. The gym is only in its fourth year competing in elite cheer. Gordon said the team ended Day 2 ranked second overall in the world in its division.
Axtell’s Beauty N Grace Studio — a smaller, D2 gym — also medaled in Orlando.(Courtesy Photo)
“We are just incredibly proud of this team,” Gordon said. “This is only our fourth year in elite cheer, so to be on the biggest stage in the world competing at this level is already something special for us.”
Gordon said the season included injuries, long practices and mounting pressure, but the team stayed together.
In Axtell, Beauty N Grace Studio — a smaller, D2 gym — also medaled in Orlando.(Courtesy Photos)
“Our senior level 3 athletes have worked all season for this moment,” she said. “It hasn’t been easy. We’ve faced injuries, long practices, and a lot of pressure, but they never gave up on each other.”
Cheerleader Kylie Pechacek said the silver finish was a milestone for the small-town team.
“It is a dream come true winning second at All-Star Worlds with my team LADY GRACE,” Pechacek said. “These girls and coaches are a family, and we worked so hard all year to prove ourselves. It feels so good being silver medalist representing our small town of Axtell, Texas.”
Beauty N Grace Studio(Courtesy Photos)
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