Warner Robins cheerleading team headed to world competition
Fourteen area boys and girls have cheered and tumbled their way to world competition. Team TKO is from PunchFront Gymnastics & Cheer in Warner Robins. The group traveled to New Orleans on March 19-20, earning a bid to the U.S. All Star Federation World Championship. The Louisiana contest was only the second competitive event for the team, said Crystal Smith, mother of TKO member Jordan Mangold, 14.
A shot at worlds is an accomplishment for any team, but especially one as new as TKO. Chrystie and Chris McIlwain opened PunchFront in June, and a few of the students approached them with the idea of developing a level five team since there wasn't another one in town, Chrystie McIlwain said. By January, tryouts had been held and the group -- classified as level five small co-ed -- was assembled. The students, ranging in age from 13 to 18, are from all over Middle Georgia.
Team members are Phil Loan, Destiney Alston, Chloe Darveau, Molly Hutto, Jada Allen, Jordan Mangold, Ben Chester, Kaitlyn Purser, Makayla Williams, Sarah Mondock, Austin Sage, Seth Jones, Savanna Biggs and Seayrra Biggs. TKO's main coach is Jarvis Willis, and Curt Gentry is the tumbling coach.
"[Going to worlds] would be big not only for them but for the gym. They have worked so hard, spending countless hours at the gym," Smith said. "They're so mature. They just work together. It's like their profession. They put their heart and soul into it."
The USASF World Championship of cheerleading is April 22-26 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports in Orlando, Florida. It's an annual event for level five and level six teams from across the globe. Since TKO earned an "at-large bid" to the world competition, it's responsible for covering all the costs to attend, which total about $9,000 for the team, Smith said.
The group has a chance to receive a full-paid bid at another worlds-qualifying event April 9 in Atlanta, but members have been trying to raise funds for the trip just in case. Donations can be made through the team's Go Fund Me page, www.gofundme.com/m9vm5cr8.
"Whether they win or not, it's really just an honor to go and attend and experience it," Chrystie McIlwain said. "This is the biggest thing they'll ever go to. It's like going to the World Series. There's nothing bigger for cheerleading, especially at this level. For them, it's the ultimate experience."
It's the team's goal to advance to day two of the competition, which hasn't happened for any other team in the area, McIlwain said. In fact, it's her understanding that TKO is only the second team in Middle Georgia to ever make it to worlds. Smith thinks the group has potential because of its dedication and teamwork.
"Only teams that have been around for years make day two and are successful in winning worlds. It's very hard as a new gym," Willis said.
"I told them I'd push them as hard as I can to meet their goals. I didn't think (a bid to worlds) would happen this fast, but it did, and I'm excited about it."
During the next couple of weeks, team members will work on perfecting their stunts and increasing the difficulty of their routine, Smith and McIlwain said. Willis said they're working to get their scores where they need to be.
"As long as (the performance) is perfect in our eyes, we're not worried about the judges," Willis said. "A lot of gyms don't get this opportunity, and I want us to build a small program where this becomes normal to us. I just want them to go out there and have fun and do their thing and shine like the stars that they are."
This story was originally published April 5, 2016 at 9:57 PM with the headline "Warner Robins cheerleading team headed to world competition ."