| Cheryl
April 21, 2008
8:45:01 AM
Entry #: 2717788
| http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2008/apr/21/30gtpsl-dance-team-takes-on-world/
PORT ST. LUCIE — Is Port St. Lucie the center of the competitive hip-hop universe?
It could happen this weekend when the Ultimate Cheer Allstars Competitive Hip Hop Team competes in the World Championships at Disney's Epcot near Orlando.
The team of 15 students from Martin and St. Lucie counties who are 12 to 18 years old have been training hard at the Ultimate Cheer and Dance facility on Village Green Drive since February.
They'll be taking on teams from 28 other countries including Japan, China, England, France and other parts of Europe, as well as the best of the best from America. The competition is April 25-27.
Ultimate Cheer owner and Coach Sherry Gomez said once the team learned they were invited to the World Championships, they stepped up their endurance training.
"We now practice three times a week, an average of 8 to 10 hours per week," she said. "We are doing a lot of cardio."
Even with all of the hard work and competitive environment, the team is concentrating on enjoying the opportunity that lies ahead.
"We will be going against teams from everywhere," said Gomez. "None of my kids have even asked what if we don't win it. Just the experience is amazing."
Gomez traces the start of the team's journey to a workshop convention they attended.
There, they met noted hip-hop choreographer Dave Scott, who has choreographed films including "Stomp the Yard," "Prom Night" and "Step Up 2: The Streets," and has worked with recording artists, including Brian McKnight.
Scott was impressed with the team's ability at the convention, and asked Gomez if she would like him to choreograph the team's routines.
The team's trip to the World Championships almost didn't happen.
"The team was invited, but it was so expensive we couldn't go," said Palm City resident Laura Crawford, who has helped with the team's fundraising efforts. Her daughter, McKenna, is on the team.
The cost of the trip was estimated at about $500 per person.
John Pierson of Toyota of Stuart helped make it all happen, Crawford said, "and we all know the economy is not great right now."
Pierson bought new outfits for the team. Crawford concentrated on making the donation stretch as much as possible, by getting a jeans company to donate a deep-discounted rate and Sketchers, who donated boots for the entire team at a retail value of $89 a pair.
The team will perform Saturday, and if their marks are high enough from the judges, they will advance to the final round on Sunday, with a chance to bring home the World Championship title.
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