WHITEWATER, Wis. &045; Nine of the 18 members of the Albert Lea competition cheer team attended camp at the University of Wisconsin in Whitewater Aug. 5-8. The camp instructors were staff from the National Cheerleaders Association, a nationally-based cheerleading company from Texas. Albert Lea was the only Minnesota team at the camp, with the other schools from Wisconsin and Illinois.

The competition was tough as all of the teams from Illinois are school-supported because cheerleading is a sport in that state.

The Albert Lea team did very well even though it was the second-smallest team there, at times competing against teams with up to 26 members.

The girls worked extremely hard during the week, leaving the dorm by 7 a.m. and working until at least 9 p.m. Free time was spend practicing and participating in team-building activities. Advanced-level stunts and dismounts were practiced and several stunts from the elite level were tried.

Out of the 180 girls at the camp, Albert Lea brought home several prestigious honors including the Herkie Award, given by the staff to the team which exemplified the principles on which the NCA was founded throughout the entire week of teaching, training and practice time. It is named after L.R. Herkimer, who held the first organized cheerleading camp in 1948. Qualities needed for the award are outstanding leadership, strong values in work ethic and general enthusiasm and team unity. Naperville North of Illinois earned the Top Team Award and Polo High School of Illinois earned the Top Chant Award.

Albert Lea was also recognized as a Top Team finalist, which recognizes superior technical and crowd-involvement skills, and was voted by the other teams at the camp to receive a Team Award for leadership and teamwork. Recognition in the area of stunt technique as well as staff praising for outstanding motion technique was also given to Albert Lea, which was also one of four teams to earn Spirit Stick honors all four days of camp.An Excellent Ribbon was awarded for the Home Cheer, which was basically learned the day of camp at a rest area as practice was rained out.

The entire Albert Lea squad was recognized for All-American honors by noon of the second day. Ashley Judd and Dustee Armstrong were nominated for Jump Technique in the morning and the whole team was nominated in the area of Stunt Technique. Nominees have the option of trying out for the NCA All-American Team. The tryouts consist of a tumbling pass, three advanced-level stamina jumps as well as presentation, vocal and motion technique, and a score of 23 out of 30 points is required to make the team. Several girls tried out for All-American and, out of 12 girls chosen NCA All-Americans at the camp, four Albert Leans were selected: Captain Caitlin Marty, Stephanie Sternberg, Jesse Tuttle and Judd. They earned an opportunity to perform at the Orange Bowl or Hula Bowl this winter.

Sternberg, Judd and Chelsea Wilke attended captains leadership classes each morning.

“These three girls were outstanding representatives of the team and community while they focused on what good leadership characteristics are as well as developing a team mission statement,” said coach Donna Marty.

Judd received the Top Leadership Award, given to the person with the strongest leadership during captains classes and throughout the camp.

Coach Marty attended camp and, after attending classes and testing, received NCA coaches certification.

The team plans to attend UCA regionals, NCA regionals, Americheer regionals and UPA nationals among several invitations this winter.

The team is not supported by the school in any way, paying all entry fees and transportation costs out-of-pocket. The team has practiced at the New Denmark Park this summer and will move to the Albert Lea Family Y this fall.

The team is looking for fund-raising activities and sponsors to help offset costs. If your or your organization is interested in helping the team, please call 377-1336 and your interest will be forwarded to the fund-raising committee.