A local competitive all-star cheerleading team has become the first in Centre County to qualify for the Cheerleading World Championships.
The all-girl Pittsburgh Superstars VIP team based in Bellefonte will join more than 9,000 athletes from 40 different countries when they compete at the 2016 championships April 23-25 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resorts in Orlando, Fla.
The team, led by head coach and Penn State graduate T.J. Banas, is comprised of 19 level 5 cheerleader ranging in age from 12 to 18. Some come from as far away as Clearfield, Lewistown and Altoona to practice with the team year-round.
All-star cheerleading is different from sideline cheerleading in that it combines elements of gymnastics, synchronized tumbling, acrobatics and dance.
Squads like the Pittsburgh Superstars VIP team travel around the country competing for titles with the ultimate goal of qualifying for the Cheerleading World Championships. Pittsburgh Superstars VIP will compete in the senior small division,which is for all-girl teams with five to 20 members.
