Local cheerleaders place 8th at nationals

The Arizona All-Stars Senior Royals Level 4 cheerleading team competed March 8 and 9 against hundreds of teams from across the country in the National All-Star Cheerleading Championship in Orlando, Fla., seen annually on ESPN, and placed eighth in the large senior division.

The team, made up of East Valley girls ranging in age from 10 to 17, includes 23 members from Desert Vista High School, Mountain Pointe High School, Horizon Community Learning Center, Akimel A-al Middle School and Altadeña Middle School.

"They did awesome," Ahwatukee Foothills resident and Arizona All-Stars owner Jennifer Huot-Lannon said. "There was some stiff competition and the girls really held their own. We used to go to national competitions and get last and we're not anymore. I'm proud of them."

The team was happy with their result, Huot-Lannon said, after seeing their competition and realizing teams were only half-of-a-point to three points apart out of 300.

"What was really cool was they were there for the competition, not to go to Disney World," she said. "Disney World was second on their list."

Huot-Lannon first began training the Arizona All-Stars in May 2002 and now offers five cheer teams - three competitive and two exhibition - for ages 4 to 18, as well as tumbling classes, private lessons, boot camps and more.

Ahwatukee Foothills current team members include: Bridget Agnew, Hayley Schwartz, Katie Smith and Jen Begin from Akimel A-al; Nichole Maurice from Altadeña; Riley Agnew, Vanessa Averil-Edwards, Ali Smith, Kelsey Dudenhoefer, Kiley Halsted, Melissa Winn, Kim Economou, Hayley Guy, Cecily Santiago, Heather Coulter, Taylor Ralston, Paige Williamson, Jessie Trojan and Sterling Streder from Desert Vista; Sasha Neely and Marissa Thompson from Mountain Pointe; and Lexi Katzman and Katie Cannon from Horizon Community Learning Center.

For more information, call (480) 831-1105, visit www.azallstars.com or stop by the gym at 7425 S. Harl St., Suite 3, in Tempe.