Ideal Athletics | Competitive Cheer, Tumbling, and Athletic Training for All Ages

Athlete Spotlight: Alivia

Chelsie — Tue, 28 Apr 2020 08:41:00 +0000

Katie’s daughter Alivia is a crossover on two of our elite teams, Frost and Black Ice. They have been a part of this program for 5 years. She had found Ideal through a couple Facebook friends whose daughters were both doing it. When we asked Katie what her favorite part about being in the Ideal program was, she said “I love watching Alivia perform. The confidence she has when she hits the mat is crazy! But even more than that, Alivia has learned what it means to be part of a team. She has learned that hard work and dedication pay off. As a mom, I love the community cheer families that we get to see each week. Some of these families have become our best friends.”

Since being a part of Ideal, she has learned what it truly means to be a part of the team. She said, “If you want to be successful, you HAVE to put in the work.” When we asked her what her favorite memory was, she said “Every time Alivia performs is my favorite, but coming in a close second was the look of excitement and shock when she was asked to join Black Ice in October.”

Katie’s Advice to Any Newcomers:

“Give it a chance. It might be outside yours or your child’s comfort zone, but give it a chance! You’ll be amazed!”

Athlete Spotlight: Brooke

Chelsie — Mon, 20 Apr 2020 05:00:00 +0000

Michelle’s daughter Brooke joined Ideal for our 2019-2020 season for the first time. Brooke is a crossover on two of our elite teams, Frost and Black Ice. Michelle had found our program through an internet search. Brooke had previously done gymnastics and wanted to try something different. Michelle told us, “We looked into several options, but Brooke was drawn to cheer. She loves that it is team-oriented, but she can still use her skills from gymnastics. Also, her coaches are positive and well trained!” Her favorite part about the Ideal program is a positive culture. Since joining our program, Brooke has learned teamwork skills, confidence, and friendship. Her favorite memory was watching Brooke compete in her first-ever competition.

Michelle’s Advice to Any Newcomers:

“Have fun!”

Athlete Spotlight: Skylar

Chelsie — Thu, 16 Apr 2020 16:38:00 +0000

Missi and her daughter Skylar have an interesting Ideal story! Missi has been here since the beginning. She is our Program Director as well as an Elite Team Coach. She has coached many different levels and teams over the past seven seasons. This year, she coaches our Youth Level 1 Team, Frost and our Junior Level 2 Team, Black Ice. Skylar has been a part of Ideal for the last four seasons. Skylar started on our Icicles team and is currently on our Tiny Exhibition Team, Crystals.

Missi had discovered Ideal directly from the source, our Owner Chelsie Hollencamp. Chelsie and Missi had met about 10 years ago through their mutual love for cheer.

When we asked Missi what she has learned from being a part of the program, she said “Skylar is a competitive kid and she really loves to learn new things. My favorite thing is hearing her say ‘Mom look what I learned to do at practice!’ Skylar has learned to follow directions, and I’ve learned I’m not her coach so I have to just go with the flow.”

“My favorite memory – which is also my least favorite – was Skylar’s first ever competition. She was just 3 years old and was so nervous, but she went out there and (kind of) smiled the whole time. Her team was the first performance of the competition, and they started early so we all missed the first half. I was really angry and definitely cried.”

Missi’s Advice to Any Newcomers:

“Stop into the gym and speak with someone so you can ask questions. They will more than likely be able to answer all of them or find someone who can.”

Athlete Spotlight: Alison & Quinn

Chelsie — Tue, 14 Apr 2020 06:55:00 +0000

Melissa has two daughters involved in the Ideal Cheer program and is our current Team Parent for our Junior Level 2 team Black Ice. Her daughter Alison is an athlete on Black Ice and her younger daughter Quinn is on our tiny exhibition team Icicles. She had discovered Ideal through her friend Kelly whose daughter is also involved in the program and is on the same team as Alison. Her favorite part about being in this program is “to watch my kids gain strengths in skills and set (and meet) their goals.” Since joining Ideal, she has learned that “Practice at home helps. Tweens are difficult . Missing practice really costs the team.” She has two favorite memories, one for each child enrolled, and it is this: “each time they gain a skill. They work so long and hard at them that it’s amazing to watch them accomplish it!!”

Melissa’s Advice to Any Newcomers:

“These athletes work their butts off so go in supporting their goals and make friends with fellow parents as it can really help to share the peaks and valleys of the sport!”

Athlete Spotlight: Emma

Chelsie — Sat, 11 Apr 2020 05:42:00 +0000

Steph is the parent of one of our crossover athletes, Emma. Emma is on two competitive teams, level 1 mini Flurries and level 1 youth Frost. They have been involved in the program for several years. Originally, Steph had found the program through a Google search after moving to central Wisconsin. They were fresh off a great season with another all-star program closer to Chicago, and Ideal was the best fit for their family – even though there was a ninety-minute drive each way.

One of Steph’s favorite parts about being involved in the program at Ideal are the bonds that are created here. She said, “Between the parents and the kids, it’s like a second family.” Emma has learned the importance of confidence, sportsmanship, and team mentality.

When we asked Steph was her favorite memory from your time at Ideal, she responded with “Oh my gosh, I have so many memories. I couldn’t just pick one!”

Steph’s Advice to Any Newcomers:

“The commitment is as big for parents as it is for the kids.”

Athlete Spotlight: Britney

Chelsie — Thu, 09 Apr 2020 07:44:00 +0000

Rebecca and her daughter Britney joined Ideal this season. This is their first year in the program. Britney is on our Mini Level 1 Team, Flurries. They had found the Ideal program through an online search when looking for local athletics. When we asked Rebecca what her favorite part about being in this program is, she said “Just how they push the athletes to do their best!” Since joining the Ideal family, Britney has learned the importance of teamwork, hard work, and organization. Her favorite memories include watching her daughter perform at all of the competitions.

Rebecca’s Advice to Any Newcomers:

“Make sure you know what you’re getting into before you start and are willing to practice.”

Athlete Spotlight: Alexsia

Chelsie — Sun, 05 Apr 2020 16:27:09 +0000

Alexsia is one of our athletes and junior coaches at Ideal. She is a crossover on our junior level 2 team Black Ice and senior level 3 team Snow-Ed.

She had discovered our program through the youth cheer program through Duluth East. Her favorite part about being in this program is making strong friendships. She shared that this sport is “more than cheering on the sidelines.”

A couple of her favorite memories are making the Senior 3 Co-Ed team (Snow-Ed) and becoming a junior coach for our Icicles team that is for athletes between the ages of 3 and 6.

Alexsia was also the 2018-2019 Ideal Athlete recipient. This award is bestowed upon one person throughout the program annually who is agreed upon by the entire staff as an exemplary role model, friend, teammate, and athlete.

Alexsia’s Advice to Any Newcomers:

“Always be confident in yourself!”

Athlete Spotlight: Bella

Chelsie — Wed, 18 Mar 2020 02:19:34 +0000

Trista’s daughter Bella is on the youth level 1 team, Frost. This is their first year being at Ideal. They had found the program through one of Bella’s friends at school.

She said that one of her favorite parts about being in this program is the team and how the team bonding moments bring the team together as one. During Bella’s time at Ideal, she has learned several important life skills such as confidence, courage, and strength.

Her favorite memories from being in this program are all of the cheer comps because they are “so exciting every time!”

Trista’s Advice to Any Newcomers:

“You will not regret joining Ideal, such a loving environment, coaches are so encouraging!”

Athlete Spotlight: Amarah

Chelsie — Mon, 09 Mar 2020 18:42:03 +0000

Liza’s daughter Amarah has been on the Senior team for the last three years. She was a member of our Senior 2, Avalanche for one year and has been on Senior Co-Ed 3, Snow-Ed for two years. Liza was previously the Hermantown High School cheerleading coach for several years. Her first interaction with Ideal was when she had taken her high school cheer program to a clinic that was hosted by the gym, and they instantly fell in love.

As a typical Hermantown Hawk, Amarah started playing hockey as a U8. While it didn’t come naturally for her, she worked hard and was determined to be the best she could be. She loved being on the ice and the camaraderie of it all and eventually made the A-team. When she was old enough to try out for cheerleading, she decided she would do both. Football cheer in the fall, and hockey in the winter. After an injury on the ice her freshman year, she decided to take some time off from the sport she had grown up with. Liza wanted to make sure her daughter stayed active and enrolled her into the competitive elite program at Ideal that season. They have been hooked ever since. This year she has dropped all other activities to focus on her training in all-star as well as coaching our Tiny Team, The Icicles.

Her favorite memories include watching the athletes’ reactions when they know they hit and the competition weekend team bonding parties. Her favorite part of Ideal is watching the athlete’s reactions to their own performance. She said,

“To see them after they know they “hit” and gave it their all is the best thing ever! The confidence they gain from the first competition to the last is night and day!”

Since being a part of the program, Liza has learned that:

Practice is key! Everything that is put into your time at the gym and at home makes the world of a difference!
The coaches love their athletes! They want to see them achieve their goals. Not just at practice or competitions but in life.
Your team is family-athletes and parents. I can’t imagine my life without my Snow-Ed family!

Liza’s Advice to Any Newcomers:

“Go for it!!! This program has built my daughter into a strong, confident, and talented athlete. She had always been athletic, she had played softball and hockey for years. Some injuries had happened and those sports were no longer options for her. She had gone to a clinic at Ideal over the summer and was encouraged to attend one of the senior practices. Competitive cheer was something I never imagined would be an interest of hers but boy was I wrong. She instantly loved it! I never saw her flourish like she did at Ideal! The strength she has gained in her body and her mind is amazing! She has had wonderful role models as coaches that will continue to mold her mind for years to come! I cannot thank Ideal enough for all the love they have given her!”

What Is All Star?

Chelsie — Fri, 06 Mar 2020 00:41:13 +0000

All-star cheerleading is different than school cheerleading in many different ways. Traditional cheer as many people know it is focused on being on the sidelines, with the main goal being to promote team spirit for a more traditional sport (such as football). This type of well-known cheerleading focuses on cheers, chants, and team spirit mixed with skills to provide entertainment to the crowd at sporting events. In recent years, traditional cheerleading teams have started to add a competitive aspect to their programs, taking a skill-based music routine mixed with a half time like cheer performed in front of other teams and judges. In our area, most opportunities for joining a cheerleading team are not available until high school, if at all.

All-Star cheerleading, however, is independent of other sports, with our main goal being competition within our own division against other like teams. Our focus is on building skills, tumbling, jumps, dance, and showmanship. We have 7 different levels to choose from which allows us to assure a safe learning progression for our athletes while they continue to grow physically and emotionally. We’ll break it down a bit more.

Tryouts Vs. Team Placements:

When the time comes for tryouts, we choose to think of that process more as placements. For us, there is usually a team for everyone, no matter the skill level. Unlike traditional cheer tryouts where there are normally only one maybe two teams for the highest skilled athletes, we are grateful to be building different teams for all levels and age groups.

Don’t think tryouts, think a larger evaluation process based on multiple factors. Our placements happen throughout the month of May at up to eight practices with certified coaches. There are four days dedicated to jumps/tumbling skills and four days dedicated to building skills. This gives new athletes a chance to learn the sport a bit before officially starting while also focusing on allowing veteran athletes the opportunity to increase and polish their current skillets. But our favorite part of this placement process is the initial team building that happens in those first weeks.

At Ideal, our first step in creating teams is age-based. We take all of our candidates and split them into groups based on the top age of each division. For example, the youth age division is 11 and under, and the mini age division is 8 and under – so all athletes 9-11 get originally put in our “youth” bucket.
The next step in team placements is to review physical skills and abilities. We look at which building and tumbling skills kids have and make an effort to build out the teams to be the most successful. On our score sheet, building is worth the most points and is needed by 100% of the participants in one day or another.
The last consideration is mental and social capabilities. Different teams require a different pace of skill, level of dedication, and mental toughness than others. Our main focus is for athletes to have a positive experience and grow as individuals. Being placed on a team of like-minded and motivated athletes allows us to help foster success throughout the season.

Cheer Season

Once teams are set, our season begins in June! The elite all-star season begins in June and goes through March. These teams practice twice a week. The first two months focus on team and skill-building. Choreography is taught in August and we start competing in October. Throughout the rest of the season, we consistently make changes to the routine to add confidence, difficulty, and to better hit our routines.

Our sport doesn’t have a bench, and every athlete is vital to a successful and efficient practice. While we do not have 100% participation in all sections, we do need our kids to constantly be working and improving throughout the season. Athletes are encouraged to put in work outside of practice, attend classes and participate in open gym.

Overall

Overall, All-Star is a unique sport that offers kids the opportunity to increase body control, awareness, and strength while developing teamwork, problem-solving skills and learning to face adversity. We love the way that the sport allows athletes the ability to be multifaceted, train in multiple areas of expertise, and develop life skills that will be vital to their success in life