(Facebook/ PACE)

By Nigel Maxwell

Cheerleading

Small but mighty: Prince Albert cheerleading squad crowned winners at Edmonton competition

Jan 23, 2024 | 5:00 PM

What they may lack in size, a pair of Prince Albert cheerleading teams more than make up for it in spirit.

Prince Albert Cheer Explosion (PACE) attended last weekend’s Cold Snap cheer and dance competition in Edmonton. The U12 Blast squad placed first and the U16 Surge squad finish fourth.

Scores were based on two days of competition, and entering the final day, the U12 team was in third place, having suffered a few deductions after the first performance.

However the second time on stage went much smoother and the team did not lose any marks, better known in the cheerleading world as hitting zero. Coach Sandra Kirtzinger told paNOW she was thrilled.

“When they were announcing the awards, the coaches were very shocked and so were the athletes,” she said.

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The U12 squad reflects on their accomplishment. (Facebook/ PACE)

The U16 Surge. (Facebook/ PACE)

Noting the hard work that goes into these competitions, Kirtzinger explained the girls practice twice a week and for a total of four hours. In comparison to the other teams at the event, Prince Albert’s teams of six were considered very small, competing against teams with more than twice as many people.

“It’s not very common a team of six wins a big competition,” Kirtzinger noted.

Up next for the two Prince Albert teams is a competition in Calgary in early February and it will be even bigger than the one in Edmonton. Kirtinzer noted the past weekend does provide the teams with a definite lift.

“It’s such a boost for them, knowing theres’s just a few of them but they can accomplish as much as big teams of 14 to 28.”

Prior to competing in Edmonton, the two teams competed in Warman at the Winter Knockout and both finished second in their respective divisions.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @nigelmaxwell