ROBERTSDALE, Ala. — There are some happy young women who go to Central Christian School right now. The school’s cheerleading squad, took first place honors in the “Small Varsity” division of the Christian Cheerleading of America competition held March 3-6 at Charlotte, N.C. The size divisions are determined by the number of members on the team, not the size of the school. The members of the “Small Varsity” team were: Rachel Shelton, Brittany Wilson, Megan Budlong, Sanders Middleton, Courtney Rada, Madison Moore, and Becky Shelton. This group was crowned “National Champions.” Members of the same team, plus a few more took second place in the “Medium Varsity” competition. They were: the Sheltons, Kyndra Perry, Wilson, Budlong, Middleton, Rada, Julia Kalinowski, Taylor Anderson, Moore, and Haley Budlong. In addition, fifth-graders Logan Mavar and Hannah Shelton tool the “National Champions” title in the Youth Duo competition.

“I am just so pleased for the girls,” said Sheila Shelton, the school’s cheerleading coach. “They all did a great job.”

She was proud of all the competitors, but especially proud of the “Medium Varsity” group which beat several larger schools that have won national titles before.

Shelton, who says she’s been involved with cheerleading “Since elementary school,” says that the sport of cheerleading has gotten more intense at a younger level. According to a release from Central Christian, “This was the third national title in cheerleading for Central Christian School.” 

Cheerleading has gotten more intense since Shelton picked up pompoms and a megaphone.

“We did tosses when I was in college, now there are all kinds of moving stunts,” said Shelton. “It is all much more physical and demanding.”

The team, Shelton says, does a lot of “conditioning and practice,” doing a half-hour of strength training and then exercises to improve the students’ flexibility. The squad practices several times a week, all through the school year, but as several of the squad are on the school’s volleyball team, practice is limited during that season.

While overjoyed at her student’s progress, Shelton is more happy over the development of their characters. “These are all great girls,” she said.