WEST JORDAN, Utah -- They are Utah’s best, and some of them are as young as 8 years old. Three cheerleading teams from Fusion All-Stars in West Jordan have been invited to represent the state in national and international competitions.
FOX 13 News hit the gym with those teams to see how they're getting ready. Coach Emily Morgan said the competition is a great opportunity for the participants.
“You’re best in the world if you win, so it’s a huge honor,” she said.
Adlyn Iwuh of Team Inferno said they are working hard to be ready for a chance to earn that honor.
“We have a lot of extra practices,” Adlyn said.
Adlyn is a back spot on Team Inferno, and next week her team of 19 young women between the ages of 12 and 18 will travel to Orlando for Cheerleading Worlds.
“It’s cool to be able to go and watch the teams that we idolize the whole season,” she said.
It's also cool for the younger members of the All-Star Fusion Gym.
“You know their goal is always to be like the older kids and to go to Worlds and to compete in an event like this,” Morgan said.
Tatum Ligman, a 10-year-old cheerleader for Team Flash, is on one of two teams going to Summit, another national competition for cheerleading that is also in Orlando.
“I’m kind of nervous because it’s probably going to be one of the biggest competitions I’ve ever been too,” she said.
She is also looking to inspire the next generation.
“I feel like all the little teams, they'll probably look up to us and be like, ‘Wow, I better work hard,’” she said.
No matter the age, the lessons learned in this gym are universal.
“You’re learning so much more than just cheerleading, you know, we’re teaching you life lessons,” Morgan said. “We all know in life if you work hard, great things can happen--and we can always achieve our goals.”
Through all of the tumbles, twirls and hours of hard work and sweat, young Tatum has another reason to encourage her friends to take up the sport.
“I would say you get to wear glitter,” she said while laughing.
For the younger teams heading to Summit, the coaches tell FOX 13 News that less than 10 percent of teams nationally are invited to compete. And Team Flash is just one of five teams in their division to get the chance to compete at Worlds.
