By Staff
Kim West, Franklin County Times
BELGREEN – The Belgreen cheerleaders didn't have to commute to team camp in Huntsville this year.
That's because the varsity and junior varsity squads attended camp at Belgreen High School, instead of traveling to the University of Alabama in Huntsville as in past years.
Belgreen cheerleading coaches Rachel Hall (varsity) and Beth Hargett (junior varsity) decided a private camp with National Cheerleading Association instructors would benefit their squads more than the traditional NCA competition camp at UAH.
"We decided to use a private camp because the instructors could focus more on our squads," said Hall, who graduated from the University of North Alabama and teaches elementary special education at Belgreen. "It was a three-day camp in July, and our squads learned different cheerrs and chants every day, and the varsity squad focused on building into stunts."
Hargett said the squads might attend private camp again next summer.
"Our squads received more individual instruction time, so we might do this again next year," said Hargett, who graduated from Athens State University and teaches middle-school special education at Belgreen.
In addition to working on group skills such as stunting, building, dancing and chanting, several members from both squads were selected to undergo All-American tryouts, which were held by the NCA instructors at the end of the camp.
"Each tryout required three consecutive jumps and an individual cheer," Hall said. "All-American cheerleaders have the chance to go to Hawaii (Hula Bowl) or Miami (Orange Bowl) to cheer in a parade."
Senior Alanna Posey and junior Jessica Kirby were named All-American from the varsity squad, while junior varsity members Tiffany Seal and Bridget Thompson earned the honor.
As a team, the varsity squad earned six ribbons from NCA, including two red ribbons for excellent performance and four blue ribbons for superior performance.
"The varsity worked hard at camp, and they have been working and getting ready for (basketball season), and I think they're going to have a great year," H all said.
The junior varsity squad also won six ribbons, including two red ribbons and four blue ribbons.
"I have a very hard-working group, and I expect them to have a very good season," Hargett said.
The varsity squad begins it season Nov. 9 when varsity basketball tips off, and the JV team starts Oct. 23.