Ohio State cheerleaders make a “person pitch” during the game against Penn State
Ohio State cheerleaders make a “person pitch” in the fourth quarter of their game against Penn State
Doral Chenoweth, The Columbus Shipping Company
The Salvation Army’s Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center in Ashland presents the newest addition to its programming – Club STUNT for girls ages 8 to 14.
As one of the fastest growing women’s sports in the United States, the Ashland Kroc Center team is working with Ashland University graduates and former athletes Shila Shreve and Joy Downing to bring the sport to local girls.
A new form of competitive cheerleading, STUNT is performed in a four-quarter format. Each quarter is a head-to-head match between two teams performing skill-based routines in various categories – partner stunts, jumps and somersaults, pyramids and throws, and team routines.
“STUNT is one of the fastest growing women’s sports in the country and was named an NCAA DII Emerging Sport for Women in January 2023,” said Major Annalise Francis, Ashland Kroc Center Administrator/Corps Officer. “Club STUNT meets the rigorous Title IX requirements of a sport and is a great way to build healthy, strong and confident female athletes. We are excited to bring this sport to the girls of Ashland County and the surrounding communities.”
All girls are welcome to join Club STUNT at the center, 527 E. Liberty St., whether they have experience in cheerleading, dance or gymnastics or none at all. The center will have two teams – one for 8- to 11-year-olds and one for 11- to 14-year-olds. Practices will be held on Tuesday evenings from Sept. 10 to Dec. 3. Athletes will learn the basics of STUNT technique and safety. Competitions will begin in the spring.
Registration for Club STUNT ends on September 6th.
Because this is an athletic program of the Ashland Kroc Center, there is a fee for youth participants. The cost for Kroc Center members is $175 and the fee for non-members is $250 and can be paid in two installments. Financial aid or scholarships are available.
Sponsorship opportunities for Club STUNT are available. If a local business or service organization is interested in partnering with the Ashland Kroc Center in launching Club STUNT, contact Dan Lawson, Ashland Kroc Center Director of Public Relations and Development, at 419-281-8001.
