Phoenix Cheer Athletics competed at its first ever out-of-province competition this weekend when they attended the Best of the West (BOTW) competition in Regina, Saskatchewan.
The Best of the West Cheer and Dance Championship is a single-day event jam-packed with 1,450 athletes from across western Canada, and even a few competitors from the United States. The event offers school, all-star, demo, dance, and specialty cheer divisions.
Phoenix Cheer had three competitive teams performing this weekend. Paragon competed in the Mini Level 1 division, for athletes between the ages of five and eight. Revivals competed in the Youth Level 2 division, for those aged nine to 11. Odyssey competed in the Junior Level 1 division, for those between 12 and 14.
All three teams earned outstanding performance banners.
In the non-competitive category, Phoenix Cheer performed specialty routines. The program had one stunt group and five individual tumbling routines competing in this category from Mini Level 1 up to Junior Level 2.
“We are very proud of our athletes who gave it their all this weekend at Best of the West,” says Program Director Kamille Wieler. “While our teams didn’t place in the top three of their respective levels, they all had their strongest performances of the season and made us very proud. Our new athletes continue to blow us away with how much they have learned this year, while our seasoned athletes lead by example. They were all great ambassadors of their sport this weekend, supporting each other and other teams with kindness and humility.”
Phoenix Cheer, which includes 85 athletes who come from across southern Manitoba and northeastern Ontario, will lease a new building in Ste. Anne starting in March 2020. This new space is being built to their specs, to best accommodate the sport. The facility will have a nine-strip sprung floor, tumble track, and other various equipment.
The next competition for Phoenix will take place in Winnipeg on March 21, 2020: the Central Prairie Championships.
