Eastside Middle School will represent the U.S. in the Inaugural International Cheer Union Junior World Championship

Memphis, Tenn., January 30, 2017 – USA Cheer, the national governing body for cheer in the U.S., has announced that Eastside Middle School from Mt. Washington, Kentucky, will represent the U.S. at the International Cheer Union (ICU) Junior World Championship in the newly developed Junior Elite division, which will take place on April 26, 2017 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports at the Walt Disney World® Resort in Florida.

The ICU is the international governing body for cheer, and has members from 110 Member Nations. Their World Championship hosts athletes from around the globe. Last year’s World Championship included National Teams from 70 countries in the Elite (ages 14+) and Premier divisions (ages 15+). This year, the ICU has added Junior divisions for athletes aged 12-16.

The Eastside Middle School cheerleading team is coached by Carrie DeBold and Kristal Stillwell, who will also coach the team in preparation for the ICU World Championship. Currently, the team is focused on preparations for the National High School Cheerleading Championship (NHSCC). Eastside Middle School took first place in 2016 in the Small Junior High division, and was the Kentucky State Middle School Champions from 2013 to 2017.

“It’s exciting that the ICU is now including junior division in the World Championship. Engaging these younger cheer athletes helps build a solid foundation for future teams,” says Tony Nash, Director of USA Cheer, and Head Coach of the US National All Girl Team. “Eastside Middle School has a track record of success in Kentucky and at the National level. Carrie and Kristal have built a talented team that supports their school and stand as an example for other communities.”
“I am very honored and humbled that my program was selected to represent the U.S. at the ICU World Championship, said Carrie. “We are excited and ready for the challenge to take cheerleading to the next level on the world stage!”

For more information about USA Cheer, please contact Sheila Noone, media@usacheer.org.

About USA Cheer
The USA Federation for Sport Cheering is a not-for-profit national governing body for all disciplines of cheerleading (including Traditional Cheerleading, STUNT, and Club Cheer/All Star). USA Cheer has three primary objectives: promote safety and safety education for Cheer in the United States; help grow and develop interest and participation in Cheer throughout the United States; and represent the United States of America in international Cheer competitions.