Nearly two thousand cheerleaders compete at local ‘Cheer Challenge’ event

Nearly 1,700 cheerleaders from across Ontario competed in Cheer Challenge Canada event.

Sadlon Arena in Barrie was the site of the Extreme Chill Cheer Challenge on Sunday, which was the second Cheer Challenge Canada invitational event of the cheerleading season.

The event welcomed cheerleading teams from across central Ontario, totalling nearly 1,700 athletes across novice, prep and all-star divisions.

“Generally speaking, cheerleading competitions are in the city,” said Donna Greer, event coordinator from Cheer Challenge Canada. “It’s a lot of travelling for families so they like to come to this event because it keeps it a little closer to home.”

The day-long Extreme Chill Cheer Challenge was in its third year, tripling in size from 36 routines two years ago to 110 routines on Sunday.

“Most teams will start training around May-June and then our competitive season runs November through to April,” added Greer. “So for some of these teams, it’s actually their first time on the floor, so it’s a chance for all of their family to come out and see them and show them all the hard work they’ve been doing for the last six months.”

Among the competitors was Lucas Hung, a member of the Queens University Golden Gaels cheerleading squad.

“Given the nature of being university athletes, every single year [graduating students] leave,” said Hung. “Every single year we have a different team, so this was our first competition of the season, and it was a great way for everyone to lock in [and] really show what Queen’s University cheerleading is.”

Holly McMekin competed with her Cheer Sport Sharks squad from Orillia.

“We’re so proud of each other,” McMekin said of her team’s routine. “It means a lot because it’s a local competition and a lot of fans come and it’s really awesome for us.”