Charlotte Tunnicliffe 1/3/2013

Future Cheer

Leeds Celtics Cheerleading

Future Cheer hosted the biggest University competition in Europe and on the February 24 both Leeds Celtics Cheerleading teams travelled to Loughborough to compete and represent Leeds University.

The all girl team were to compete in the morning with co-ed following in the afternoon. Ready and raring to go the all girl took to the floor in front of the judges at half nine.

Throughout the routine bases were throwing high and strong, flyers were hitting their stunts and some brilliant cheer faces were out on show for everyone to see. For many on the all girl squad this was their first cheer competition but this was not obvious during their routine as they put on a show to be envied by some of the cheer veterans from other Universities. Their second performance was no different and they blew the spectators and the judges away.

For a new team to rank in the top 20 out of a division of 24 would have been amazing but as the announcer passed the 20 mark and Celtics had not been called out it became very realistic that All Girl could place in the top ten.

As the rankings edged closer to the top three places everybody in the sports hall sat with bated breath with many Celtics thinking ‘maybe they forgot to say our name.’

Finally, it was announced that they had placed first in a division of 24! An amazing achievement for a squad in its second year.

Talking about the win Holly Bird, said: “When I realised we came first I was so shocked but really ecstatic!”

With co-ed walking away with first place and the Grand Champ trophy last year all

eyes were bound to be glued to their routine. After a first routine that wasn’t of the highest Celtics standard everyone was pumped up and ready to hit it on the next one. They pulled off a level four routine with some amazing stunts, a highlight being the pyramid that hit perfectly. Co-ed is made of Cheerleaders with some amazing talent especially when it comes to tumbling and everyone pulled off a brilliant performance which allowed them to maintain their champion status as they again won first place.

Alex Harrison described the win as being “awesome” and “like a pie but with less pastry and more trophies”.

The whole day was a massive success for Leeds Celtics and everyone is excited to represent the University again at the next competition which is being held in Blackpool on March 9.