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Home / Northern Advocate

Cheerleading: Blackout Cheer continue to perform well

By Andrew Johnsen
Sports editor·Northern Advocate·
30 Sep, 2017 01:56 AM3 mins to read

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Blackout Cheer NZ's individuals winners at Cheerbrandz Spring Carnival. From left to right: T-Shay Keogh, Jess Kalkhoven, Jordan Woodley and Paige Thornton. Photo / Supplied

Blackout Cheer NZ's individuals winners at Cheerbrandz Spring Carnival. From left to right: T-Shay Keogh, Jess Kalkhoven, Jordan Woodley and Paige Thornton. Photo / Supplied

Blackout Cheer NZ continues to show development after their last two performances in Auckland.

The team attended Cheerbrandz Spring Carnival and Cheer Factor over the previous two weekends and are proving their worth on the stage.

Coach Grace Hegh took two of her five squads to Auckland for the Spring Carnival, combining for a pair of fifth pairings. The Level 2 Junior Black Diamonds pulled off a great feat, hitting a perfect score.

The individuals performed even better, taking out a podium clean sweep of Level 1-3. The Junior Level 4-5 grabbed second.

Hegh said it had been a thrilling ride for her gym.

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"It's incredible to think that we haven't even been established for a year and we are footing it with clubs that have been going for years," she said.

"Over the last few weekends I have been approached by several gym owners and senior coaches telling me that Blackout is blowing them away and that they just can't believe we haven't even been around for a full season yet.

"I was even given some feedback from a top American worlds judge that they were shocked when they found out that Blackout has only been going for nine months and that we are going to be a force to be reckoned with."

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At the Cheer Factor competition, Blackout Cheer sent a strong unit down to Auckland to compete.

The Level 3 side Black Widows picked up a division victory while the Junior Level 2 side grabbed a silver medal, both in impressive performances.

The individual performers also had good outings, combining for six podium finishes, including three competition wins.

Hegh said it had been an incredible journey with her burgeoning gym.

I think about how well we are doing and I am so thankful for the people that are supporting us in this journey," she said.

"Blackout is the family I always wanted it to be we have amazing athletes that work so hard and incredible parents that support us and make sure that the athletes are at all the practices - even the unexpected extra practices that I put on before competitions.

"Cheerleading isn't like other sports where you have subs to go on for someone if they aren't there. In competitive cheerleading every person in the team is utilised and is an important part of the overall performance if someone is away it effects the hole team.

"I am also so incredibly thankful for Toni Saunders who coaches Black Widows for me every Tuesday and Thursday nights so that I can travel to Auckland to train with my Auckland-based team."

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