Sparks Elite and hip-hop dance team conduct tryouts
ST. MARYS - The St. Mary Area Sparks Cheerleading hosted a tryout on Monday for their elite team as well as their hip-hop dance team.
This is the first year that they are doing a more advanced team since the business passed to its new owners in 2019. As with many of the businesses around town, Sparks Cheerleading shut down for COVID-19.
However, the girls and the people that coach them put in some hard work and were back to practicing as soon as they could after shutting down. They even made it to about four competitions that season.
Though they had to wear masks that did not dim their efforts in being able to compete and practice. This particular team, however, was meant more for those that could be classified as either Level 3 and or Level 4 competition. These levels are determined by the ages of the girls and with such a wide range, many of the girls could be classified as both.
The levels place limits or regulate what tumbling and stunts the girls of this class are able to do. Level 3 are allowed less stunting and tumbling than Level 4, but ultimately they are both still allowed a fair number of stunts and tumbling.
The coaches are looking for girls with a more advanced set of skills when it comes to tumbling and stunts.
They want a more elite team for their hip-hop dance team and Elite cheerleading squad. However, in some of the lower levels and less intense teams they are willing to take anyone.
“We take anyone and teach them what they need to know for the future teams,” owner Hannah Platko said.
The coaches and owners were expecting a decent turnout and were not disappointed as there were many girls that showed up hoping to compete.
A previous member even made an appearance to help out at the tryouts. Jessica Schloder had been dancing with Sparks Cheerleading for 13 years and has spent another two years helping out at tryouts.
“My best friend’s mom used to be the owner. She said I should try it, so I did, and I fell in love with it,” Schloder said.
It appears that many others felt the same way as there were girls ranging in ages from 12 to 18 and above that all made an appearance at the tryouts.
Both of the owners, Platko and Chelsey Benson agreed that their favorite part of this whole thing had to be the competition season.
“It is hard work but leads to a big payoff,” Platko said.