Nineteen St. Mary’s County families traveled to Sevierville, TN on April 3rd and 4th to cheer on 21 male and female cheerleaders. These young athletes, also known as the Pax River Raiders 10U Star Brights, range from 7 – 11 years of age and all attend local St. Mary’s County schools. With the assistance and support of our local community the kids competed in a two-day competition, April 5th and 6th, hosted by Cheer and Dance Extreme.
The kids were joined in Tennessee by their extended families and friends who drove from as far as Florida, Georgia, Virginia, North Carolina, and Indiana to encourage and support these hard working kids. The Fairfield Inn located in Kodak, TN hosted the Raiders and provided excellent support for our Raiders’ families.
In November 2013 the cheer squad competed in Baltimore, MD at the Kick-Off Classic also hosted by Cheer and Dance Extreme. The cheer squad placed 3rd and was given a bid to compete in the FINALE held in Sevierville, TN. The squad practiced twice a week at Esperanza Middle School and once a week at Green Holly Elementary School. Through several canceled practices due to inclement weather, numerous bouts of illnesses and injuries from multiple athletes, the kids were able to persevere and take first place.
While being a part of the Raider Nation, kids and their families are encouraged to focus primarily on having fun and learning from every experience. This weekend, not only did our children have fun and bring home the FINALE Championship, they truly displayed what many are not able to do and that is how to become and work as one unit rather than as individuals.
Athletes who competed were: Elise Bankins, Danajah Chase, Jaxson Clarke, Ahmaya Cutchember, Abigail Donaldson, Deja Downes, Tiana Martin, Mackenzie Moneymaker, Katie O’Toole, Lillie Parrish, Taylor Parrish, Corrine Potthast, Kayla Potthast, Paige Ransom, Cydnee Root, Justyce Skudlarek-Stewart, Stephanie Scherer, Tishauna Stevenson, Kevona Woodland, Kyia Young, and Landon Zernhelt
Coaches are: Nichole Moneymaker (head coach), Lynda Potthast and Rebecca Lyons (assistant coaches) and Kristin Greene (Junior Coach).
