KAMLOOPS– The Thompson Rivers University (TRU) WolfPack cheer team heads to the International Cheer Union University World Cup Cheerleading Championships in Orlando, Florida Jan. 13-15, hoping to spring BC’s fledgling cheerleading program to new heights.
The WolfPack soared to first- and second-place finishes in two divisions at the 2022 BC Sport Cheer Provincial Championships last March. Those strong performances won the team an invitation to the 2023 World Cup, which welcomes competitors from around the globe. Coach Meaghan Blakely said the invitation is a huge accomplishment for a new team in its third season competing at this division.
“We are still a very young program, going up against teams who have competed at this level for years,” said Blakely. “Regardless of our placement, we want to be proud of what we put out on the floor and prove that we are a contender to watch out for. We are the underdogs and are looking to do our province and university proud.”
The 28-member team represents BC Sport Cheer in the traditional Game Day division, and 20 members are also competing in the modern University Premier division — the highest level of difficulty in this Olympic-recognized sport. Most team members have not competed at this level before and to ensure they are up to par, they have increased the difficulty of their routines.
The team’s fund-raising since March has garnered about $20,000 of the $80,000 trip costs, and the rest is paid by the athletes in addition to their regular season expenses.
The WolfPack Cheer team competed at the University World Cheerleading championships in January of 2020 and was eligible for 2021, but it was cancelled due to the pandemic. This is the first year the competition is back.
Watch their routines here:
Premier division 2022 BC routine https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLQDTGRrQO8&t=93s
Game Day division 2022 BC routine https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqhsTu_9r1Q&t=105s
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Contact:
Meaghan Blakely is available for interviews until Jan. 11, when the team heads to Florida.
Contact her through Michele Young, TRU Manager, Communications Content
micyoung@tru.ca | 250-828-5361
