Happy, Happy, Happy! Jaguar Athletics All Star Cheerleaders wrap up successful cheer season at the “happiest place on earth”

JAGS UCA International Champs

Photographed and submitted by Melanie Fritz

Members of the Jaguar Athletics Senior squad were named the UCA International Champions at Disney World in Orlando, Fl on March 16th.

Front row L to R: Cassidy Roach, Tayla Griffin, Emily Lowe, Alexis Brady, Michaela Mills, Tessa Fries, Mckenzie Coffman

Second row L to R: Carissa Williams, Peyton Roach, Emily Lane, Destiny Dixson, Kara Eldridge, Briana Gammel, Meredith Moore, Zoe Williford, Lauren Hounshell

Third row L to R: Hayley Spillman, Jayde Vittetoe, Faith Dixson, Natalie Blackburn, Kaylyn Tice, Amanda Lowe, Sarah Edwards, Caitlyn Harris, Carly Jo Dobyns – Photo submitted

JAGS Youth Encore Champs

Photographed and submitted by Melanie Fritz

Members of the Jaguar Athletics Youth squad pose with their championship medals and Summit Bid banner after qualifying at Encore in Sevierville.

Front Row L to R: Katy Roach, Caroline Sentell, Laken Snelling, Krista Watts, Ansley Fritz, and Alexandra Hutchins

Second Row L to R: MacKenzie Chambers, Cierra Riley, Kristen Stansberry, Emily Sexton, Allison Self, Tori Woods

Third Row L to R: Rachael Lawson, Sophie Mayle, Brianna Boyd, Peyton Roach, Kara Eldridge, Alex Ailor, and Azia Al-ghamdi – Photo submitted

JAGS Mini Cheersport Champs

Photographed and submitted by Melanie Fritz

Members of the Jaguar Athletics Mini Squad pose after a first place finish at Cheersport Nationals

Front Row L to R: Kylee Bruce, Halle Hutchins, Peyton Gockenbach, Emma Morris, Lucy Cowart

Second Row L to R: Cadence West, Madelyn Camper, Taryn Woods, Taylor Gockenbach

Third Row L to R: Madison Coffey, Alivia Whitton, Alena Reeves, Reese Hutchins, and Julia Gibson – Photo submitted

As if the happiest place on Earth isn’t happy enough already…

On the weekend of March 15th, the UCA International Championships hosted the best of the best all-star cheerleading teams from around the globe to compete at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fl. All-Star teams from the US, Japan, Canada, Chile, to name a few, took the stage to compete for the international cheerleading title. For an all-star cheerleader, Mickey Mouse, glitter, big bows, and big wins bring all the magic of Disney to life, making it truly the happiest place on earth. All of this magic inspired the Jaguar Athletics cheerleaders to perform their best routines of the season, with incredible results. The Jaguar Athletics Mini squad placed 2nd; the Youth squad placed 3rd; and the Senior squad, led by seven graduating seniors, brought home the program’s first ever International Championship Title in the Senior Level 3 division.

The Jaguar Athletics All-Star Cheerleaders have had an amazing year. All three Jags teams have represented Jaguar Athletics in ways that only cheer coaches could dream. Here is a look back at this award-winning cheer season:

The Jags Mini Squad placed first at Cheersport Regional in Nashville; first at Encore Championships in Atlanta, receiving the “Best Stunt Award” for Level 1 teams; and third at UCA Sevierville. The Mini team also had a first place finish at Athletics Championships in Chattanooga, where they received the “Most Innovative Choreography Award” for Level 1 teams. The Mini team continued strong placing first at both the Cheer Limited Soffe Open and Cheersport Regional competitions in Knoxville, and third at Encore Sevierville. These talented 4-8 year-olds finished this amazing season with a 2nd place finish at the UCA International Championships at Disney World.

The Jags Youth Squad placed first at Cheersport Regionals in Nashville, third at Encore Championships in Atlanta, third at UCA Sevierville, and fourth at Athletic Championships in Chattanooga. They placed first at Cheer Limited Soffe Open in Knoxville and first at Cheersport Regionals in Knoxville – where they also received the “Best of Level 2” Award. They continued with a first place finish at Encore Championships in Sevierville and were awarded a bid to attend the Summit All-Levels National Championships back in Orlando, Fl on May 3rd and 4th. The Summit bid is truly an honor, as only the top 20 Youth level 2 teams from across the United States receive an invitation to compete at this National Championships. The Youth squad finished their regular all-star season with a third place finish at the UCA International Championships in Disney World. These talented 9-11 year olds have extended their season in preparation for the Summit All-Levels Nationals and will represent East TN among the nation’s best Level 2 teams in just 2 weeks.

The Jags Senior Pride Squad has had their most impressive season yet, a tribute to a strong group of graduating seniors: Emily Lowe, Cassidy Roach, Michaela Mills, Tayla Griffin, Mckenzie Coffman, Alexis

Brady, and Tessa Fries. The Jags seniors placed first at Cheersport Regionals in Nashville, second at Encore Championships in Atlanta, and first at UCA Sevierville – where they were named the “Level 3 Grand Champions.” They placed third at Athletic Championships in Chattanooga; first at Cheer Limited Soffe Open in Knoxville, where they were deemed the “Top Team” of the entire competition; and first at Cheersport Knoxville, earning another “Best of Level 3” award. They placed second at the Cheersport All-Star Nationals in Atlanta, and second at Encore Sevierville. The Jags Senior Pride then achieved that story-book ending to their successful season by being named the 2014 UCA International Champions in Disney World on March 15-16. After being presented with the championship trophy, the cheerleaders were adorned with gold medals and the coveted shiny black UCA International Championship jackets.

Head coaches Andra Hutchins and Farrah Newman started the Jaguar Athletics All-Star cheer program in 1999, and are currently finishing up their 15th season. Both Andra and Farrah were cheerleaders at Jefferson County High School. Andra went on to cheer for the University of Tennessee Vols squad, and Farrah danced for the University of Tennessee Dance team.

What began as a plan to give area cheerleaders an opportunity to train and compete at the highest level of cheerleading has developed into more than just a team of skilled cheerleaders. The Jags program is a family and a way of life for all of its cheerleaders. The hours spent practicing, performing, and competing brings a sense of team spirit and friendship. The skills they execute and the routines they perform are indeed spectacular. It’s that team unity is the spark that causes them to shine both on and off the mat. Throughout the year, the Jaguar cheerleaders participate in services that allow them to give back to their community in ways that they hope will make a difference in the lives of others. Each year, the Jags cheerleaders fill backpacks for Appalachian Outreach and fill shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. They make monetary donations to the Make-a-Wish Foundation and collect Letters to Santa for Macy’s Make-a-Wish project. They collect toiletry items for Children’s Hospital and volunteer during Thanksgiving weekend for the Fantasy of Trees.

The Jaguar Athletics All-Star cheerleading camps will be held the weekends of May 8th-10th for ages 12-up and the following weekend May 15th-17th for ages 3-11. The camps will be held at the Carson-Newman Student activities Center, and the cost is $65. Camp instruction will focus on improving individual skill and technique in the areas of motions, dance, jumps, tumbling, and stunts. Camp registration will be held on Tuesdays, April 29 and May 6 at the Jefferson City Community Center from 4-8 pm. For more information, call Andra Hutchins at 865-604-5474 or email JAallstarcheer@gmail.com.

Tryouts for the 2014-15 competition season will be held on Sunday, May 18th from 1:30-5:30 pm at the Carson-Newman Student Activities Center. There are no additional fees for tryouts. Individuals who plan to tryout for the new season must attend one of the cheer camps that are being offered. Camp participants are not obligated to attend tryouts.

The Jaguar Youth cheerleaders are currently fundraising for their Summit All-Levels National Championships. Competition fees, travel, and hotel costs total $600 per cheerleader. These cheerleaders are hard at work practicing and fundraising for this ultimate all-star competition.

They have received incredible community support at their spaghetti lunch and bake sale, and also through private donations. If you would like to cheer on these Youth cheerleaders with a donation, please visit www.GoFundMe.com/Jags-youth-summit. Jaguar Athletics All-Star cheerleaders appreciate your support!

Source: Article written by Melanie Fritz