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A Recap Of The 2016 Cheerleading Worlds

Every cheerleader's dream was to compete last weekend.

Gillian Rose

May 31, 2016

Lawrence University

352

Inside Cheerleading

Disney World is, as we all know, "Where Dreams Come True." This statement is especially true for cheerleaders. Every April, thousands of cheerleaders and fans flock to the Orlando, Florida theme park for the Cheerleading Worlds. This past weekend, two cheerleading world championship competitions happened, ICU Worlds and USASF Worlds.

ICU, short for International Cheer Union, is a competition where each team represents their country. There are two levels, Elite and Premier, with different regulations as to what is allowed. Each country qualifies for and competes on one of the levels, and can have up to two teams: a coed team and an all-girl team. This year, Team USA won both All-Girl and Coed Premier, and Mexico claimed the title in both Elite divisions.

Although ICU is in your typical world-championship format, competing by countries, this isn't even the main event. Immediately following ICU worlds are USASF Worlds, the competition every cheerleader dreams of winning. USASF Worlds are hosted by the USASF/IASF, the All-Star Federation, and are "The World Championships of All-Star Cheerleading." Simply cheering at Worlds is a dream for many, let alone medaling or winning it.

This competition is open only to top level Senior and Open teams. The Senior 5 level is open to ages 12-18, and split into six divisions: Large Coed, Large Senior (or "All-Girl"), Medium Coed, Medium Senior, Small Coed (aka "Smoed"), and Small Senior. There are also Open teams, which don't have a maximum age cap, and are at level 5 and 6. Each level has an All-Girl division, a Smoed division, and a Large Coed division. The many divisions make it possible for many teams to compete. Instead of being broken up by country, each gym or program can try to qualify their eligible teams. This makes the dream of competing at Worlds more realistic for many cheerleaders, actually making it something they can work to make become a reality instead of just a distant ideal. This is because they don't have to be the absolute best in their country to make it on a team, and can also practice at a gym near their home. That said, it also makes USASF Worlds more US-centric, dominated by American teams in all the senior division, even though teams from all countries are allowed.

USASF worlds this year was an amazing competition. So many teams performed so well. Cheer Athletics took the most gold medals, winning the IO Smoed 5, IOC5, IOC6, and Large Coed titles. Overall, the 2016 Cheerleading Worlds were a success and a great weekend. For many athletes, this wrapped up their season on a positive notes. But this isn't the end of the 2016 cheerleading season, with lower level, junior, and youth teams competing next weekend at The Summit, hosted by Varsity. Look out for more competitive cheer next weekend, once again at Walt Disney World, where more dreams will be coming true.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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A Recap Of The 2016 Cheerleading Worlds

Every cheerleader's dream was to compete last weekend.

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The struggles of having an RBF are all too real

1. People asking if you're mad at them.

2. Those people who hand out flyers don't always try to stop you.

3. Creepy guys telling you to smile.

4. "I thought you were a bitch when I first met you."

5. People telling you you'd be "so much prettier if you smiled."

6. Doing your makeup and looking great, which somehow intensifies the bitch face.

7. Regularly explaining "it's just my face."

We all go through certain stages when we have a crush, Tina just explains it better.

That moment that someone you never looked twice at suddenly makes you do a double take out of no where.

But you can't have a crush, that's outrageous. It's all in your head.

Because you don't have a crush, there's no reason to tell anyone about anything. Right?

But then they do something irresistible and you start to lose it.

Now accepting the fact you have a crush, you have to keep it under control.

Then there's the part where you tell your friends who will claim they called it.

They'll be excited and cheer you on. That's until they realize that your crush is all you'll be talking about.

Your obsession has become so bad, that your Facebook stalking is getting out of control.

But your friends will try and help move things along any way they can. That doesn't mean it will be any helpful though.

As time goes on, you start having fantasies about the two of you and it's starting to scare you a little.

You can't focus on anything because all your attention is on them and everything they do.

Anybody who comes near your crush is now an enemy, and you are willing to fight for your crush.

When you see them, you act like an idiot. Trying to hide your feelings may not be as discrete as you think.

Keeping your feelings inside will start to be harder and harder until you can't keep it inside anymore.

Who knows, maybe it will work out? Take a chance.

Everybody hurts sometimes.

May the odds be ever in your favor.

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4. You may feel a little down sometimes.

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