LET’S CHEER FOR MANNFORD

PHOTOS by CRYSTL’S PHOTOGRAPHY

by ALLISON ELDREDGE

Mannford Competitive Cheer (MCC) is on a roll, jumping over goals and competitors at an unseen level for a team that has only been together for three seasons. In the summer of 2018, Coach Kim and Coach Shea saw a need for something more for cheerleaders and future cheerleaders in the Mannford area. Many families couldn’t afford the cost and time required to travel to Tulsa to find programs for their cheerleaders to learn new skills and compete at higher state and national levels.

MCC (a non-profit) was the answer. There is a monthly fee for the tumbling classes. Any profits are used to pay the First Baptist Church for use of the facility (even though the church has donated the use of the space) and for hoodies or supplies. The coaches are all volunteers. They only had hopes of helping build strong, able cheerleaders for the local school system, but it turned into a bit more.

The first season (2018-2019) they competed at a Junior Level 2 Performance Recreational team with girls as young as 3rd graders.

The second season (2019-2020) they competed at the same level and division. They started winning 1st place, High Point Grand Champion, and specialty awards such as Best Choreography. They even qualified for the Opens Championship (comparative to Nationals) but could not afford to attend.

This third season (2020-2021) the girls returned, built on skills from the previous seasons, showed so much growing talent that previously had been untapped, and competed at Senior Level 3 in the All Star Performance Recreation Division. In true 2020 fashion, COVID and injuries made the season opener look grim; however, these athletes pushed through all difficulties and shone bright! MCC has won 1st place and High Point Grand Championship

twice this season. They have received the specialty award for Best Jumps.

They are currently ranked 1st in the nation in their division and have held onto this ranking since October 2020.

Qualifying for the Opens Championship again this year is a great highlight for the team. They are currently raising money to go to the Championship being held in Galveston, Texas in May 2021.

They are accepting donations via Mail to: Mannford Competitive Cheer, 33610 W 51st St S, Mannford, OK 74044. Or by CashApp: $mannfordcheer.

Coach Kim has coached cheerleading for 24 years. She is completely in awe of this team and their accomplishments; living the dream and watching MCC’s Cinderella story unfold before her eyes. Many of these athletes came with limited knowledge about cheerleading, tumbling, or jumps.

MCC also provides a tumbling class that starts with 2nd graders. Check out their Facebook for announcements, updates, and future events.

The volunteer staff for MCC are Kim Elkins (Head Coach), Shea Winn (Coach), Jaycie Dillinger (Choreography and Coach), Baylee High (PT Asst Coach), and Stacey Robertson (Financials). They and many others in the community are supporting these athletes as they go to Opens this year.

Team members are 11th graders Tamara Moss and Abbie Mendenhall; 10th grader Britney Looney; 8th graders Laynee Jones, Alli Epperley, Briley Clark, Jaylee Williams, and Timber Rowell; 7th graders Reagan Percell, Trinity Tuell, Peyton Arnold, and Breanna Coleman; and 6th graders Talyssa Robertson and Aliyah Haller. They are competing at Senior Level with only three high school aged girls.

Go MCC! Sweep the Opens Championships! n