Cheerleaders pay their own way
SARVER — These diamonds truly shine.
The FCA Diamonds competitive cheering squad, based out of Flo's Gymnastics in Sarver, were recently crowned national champions at the Sprint Cheer Competition in Atlantic City.
The 30-member team also received a fully paid bid — valued at $25,000 — for the Cheerleading Worlds in Orlando, Fla., April 26-27.
“Only one team in each division (small, medium, large squad) is selected for the paid bid,” Diamonds coach Jennifer Walton said. “When you consider there were 900 cheerleaders in Atlantic City, it's a nice honor.”
This is the 10th consecutive year the FCA Diamonds have qualified for Worlds, but only the third time on a fully paid bid. The program's highest finish at Worlds has been fourth.
Flo's Gymnastics opened in 1986, but has only had a competitive cheering program since 2001. The facility's owner, Flo Iman, is a 1982 Butler graduate who was a member of state champion gymnastics teams with the Golden Tornado.
“All-star cheerleading programs didn't exist when I was in school “ Iman said. “The first time I saw one, it was so competitive and so much fun. The atmosphere is incredible.”
Walton is a 1999 Butler graduate and currently coaches Butler's eighth-grade cheerleaders. Her sister and assistant coach Beth Dittmer is a 1995 Butler grad.
Both participated on Golden Tornado cheerleading squads that competed at nationals in Florida.
The FCA Diamonds compete in the medium division, with all 30 cheerleaders on the mat performing at the same time.
“It's difficult, but it's fun,” Walton said. “With 30 girls out there at once, you can really do some creative things. Our girls get tossed all over the place during a routine.”
The girls range from ages 12-18 and come from 16 different high schools, as far away as Johnstown, Murrysville and Harrison City.
Six girls from Butler County — Alexis Gagliardi and Madison Richey of Butler, Jenna Simpson of Knoch, Hailee Salander of Freeport, Alex Sturgis and Cameron Wolfer from Mars — are on the team.
Simpson's mother, Desiree Simpson, serves as team mother.
“Jenna has been doing this since fourth grade,” Simpson said. “The loyalty, dedication and discipline the girls learn on this team ... These coaches couldn't be better role models.
“I couldn't ask for a better experience for my daughter growing up.”
Teams are judged by their tumbling, stunts, jump sequence, synchronization and appearance at competitions.
The Diamonds practice twice a week — including a three and a half hour session on Saturdays — and will add a third practice per week beginning in February to prepare for Worlds.
Dittman is a CPA during the day and helps coach the team at night. Her 7-year-old daughter, Raegan, is involved in the program.
“What makes it work is the commitment on everybody's part,” she said. “The majority of this team lives at least 40 minutes from the gym and they're involved in cheering at their schools, yet everyone gets to practice.
“Coordinating schedules is more difficult than getting these girls to mesh together for a routine. Most of the girls on the Diamond team have been with us for five-plus years. They all love what they do and it's fun working with them.”
Several past Diamonds cheerleaders have gone on to collegiate programs, including Slippery Rock, Penn State, Pitt and Louisville.
“They really are the best of the best,” Dittman said of the girls. “They love being challenged.”
The Cheerleading Worlds brings together more than 9,000 cheering and 3,500 dance athletes from across the United States and 40 countries.The first Cheerleading Worlds was held in 2004.
