May 12, 2019 at 07:17AM
ELKHART — Insanity reigns.
In this case, that was a great thing for an area group of competitive cheerleaders.
The Indiana Ultimate Insanity made history by claiming a World Championship at the recent Cheerleading Worlds.
The team, which trains at the Indiana Ultimate Gym in Elkhart, became the first squad from Indiana to win a world title.
"It's absolutely a huge deal to win Worlds," said Rob Slagle, program director and general manager for Indiana Ultimate. "We've enjoyed a lot of success before taking teams to the World Championships, but this is the pinnacle to win it. These athletes have worked hard and for a long time to achieve this."
The team was comprised of 24 competitors, 20 girls and four boys, ranging in age from 14-25, primarily from Elkhart and St. Joseph Counties. The team won the International Small Open Coed Level 5 Division championship.
Slagle said that team members have to try out to make the elite competition team. The team then began practicing together last summer, usually two to three times per week in addition to individual workouts. The team then had seven competitions and qualified to compete at the Worlds.
"Many of our athletes are in the gym every night training and they start as early as age 4 or 5," remarked Slagle, whose facility is getting ready to hold tryouts for next year May 18-19. "We've sent many of our members on to cheer at colleges all over, including Notre Dame, Purdue and Indiana."
Insanity was one of 47 teams competing and one of three teams from the United States to make it to the Finals. The team scored a 141.45 to claim the title at the ESPN Wide World of Sports in Orlando. Insanity beat 21 teams in its division in the Finals, including squads from Canada, Australia, New Zealand, France and Mexico. The runner-up team from San Diego scored 137.25 for its routine.
"This is our 14th year for the gym and we have sent a team or teams to the Worlds 11 times," noted Slagle. "The sport has grown and expanded and gained notoriety."
Insanity was coached by Pam Slagle and Riley Williams.
ELKHART — Insanity reigns.
In this case, that was a great thing for an area group of competitive cheerleaders.
The Indiana Ultimate Insanity made history by claiming a World Championship at the recent Cheerleading Worlds.
The team, which trains at the Indiana Ultimate Gym in Elkhart, became the first squad from Indiana to win a world title.
"It's absolutely a huge deal to win Worlds," said Rob Slagle, program director and general manager for Indiana Ultimate. "We've enjoyed a lot of success before taking teams to the World Championships, but this is the pinnacle to win it. These athletes have worked hard and for a long time to achieve this."
The team was comprised of 24 competitors, 20 girls and four boys, ranging in age from 14-25, primarily from Elkhart and St. Joseph Counties. The team won the International Small Open Coed Level 5 Division championship.
Slagle said that team members have to try out to make the elite competition team. The team then began practicing together last summer, usually two to three times per week in addition to individual workouts. The team then had seven competitions and qualified to compete at the Worlds.
"Many of our athletes are in the gym every night training and they start as early as age 4 or 5," remarked Slagle, whose facility is getting ready to hold tryouts for next year May 18-19. "We've sent many of our members on to cheer at colleges all over, including Notre Dame, Purdue and Indiana."
Insanity was one of 47 teams competing and one of three teams from the United States to make it to the Finals. The team scored a 141.45 to claim the title at the ESPN Wide World of Sports in Orlando. Insanity beat 21 teams in its division in the Finals, including squads from Canada, Australia, New Zealand, France and Mexico. The runner-up team from San Diego scored 137.25 for its routine.
"This is our 14th year for the gym and we have sent a team or teams to the Worlds 11 times," noted Slagle. "The sport has grown and expanded and gained notoriety."
Insanity was coached by Pam Slagle and Riley Williams.