Ask any dancer or competition cheerleader and they will likely say that their sports are often unfairly stereotyped or overlooked because they are not school-sponsored activities at most schools.
But more than 4 million competitive cheerleaders compete in the United States each year, including about 20 Tyrone dancers and cheerleaders who compete with the Tyrone cheer squad or other organizations not affiliated with the Tyrone Area School District.
To showcase these athlete’s talents, Tyrone will host “Battle of the Bows,” a local cheer and dance team competition on January 13 that will include over 55 teams from across central Pennsylvania.
“The competition is a series of dancers and cheerleaders performing two-and-one-half-minute routines. This is a for-fun competition. People should come and support the students who are involved in cheer and dance because they are very talented and deserve the same support that our other athletes get,” said Olivia McMonagal, Tyrone junior and member of the Volition Cheer All Staes.
Along with other high school cheer squads that will be separated into a different division from the local gyms.
Gyms and dance schools attending the Tyrone competition include teams from Bellwood, Bellefonte, Windber, Volition, Revolution, Nova, Fame, Starz, and Rail City.
Teams competing with Tyrone students are the Tyrone Cheer Squad, Tyrone’s Dance Fusion, Nova Elite, and Volition Cheer All-Stars.
Members of the Tyrone Cheer Squad competing are seniors Mercedes Miller, Lauren Fleck, Rylee Fleck, Ally Black, junior Lily Eckley, Kasey Daughenbaugh, Jasmine Walk, sophomores Hailey Lowery, Sarah Weakland, Braylinne Shaw, Addison Warren, Miley Fink, freshman Kieara Lattieri, and Madison Harper.
In addition to the Tyrone Cheer Squad, other Tyrone High School students who will be competing at the competition are Layna Dibert, Sway Cornelius, Mackenzie Lewis, Olivia McMonagle, and Emily Christofer.
The event begins at 9 am and will continue until the awards presentation at 4 pm at the Tyrone Area High School gym.
