Cano cheerleaders fly their way to nationals

HARLINGEN — They can’t stop cheering their success.

The cheerleading squad at the Dr. Abraham P. Cano Freshman Academy has been prepping non-stop for the national cheerleading competition in January in Dallas.

But that’s nothing new. They’re always practicing for the next football game or other event, working on their stunts, their tumbles, their complex moves to boost everyone’s spirits.

“We practice all the time,” said Cheerleading Captain Alesandra Bazan, 14.

“We have fun with it,” she said. “I like the tumbling and the stunts. Sometimes it’s hard. There are a lot of cheers and a lot of things to remember.”

Their hard work paid off in July at the National Cheerleading Association Summer Camp. They performed so well at the camp on South Padre Island they won a spot at the January competition.

“We’re extremely excited,” said Sonia Rodriguez, sponsor for the Cano cheerleading squad.

“It’s a great honor and the girls worked really hard,” she said. “They have been rewarded for their hard work.”

She said each evening of the camp the 18 cheerleaders earned a “spirit stick” for great participation and leadership.

“Everyday they worked on different skills such as tumbling, stunting, dance and cheers,” Rodriguez said. “The final day they were able to get a bid straight to nationals.”

Ellington Hull, another team captain, was also jubilant.

“I am extremely happy and proud of our team pulling together through all of the camp,” said Ellington, 14.

She’s been a cheerleader for two years beginning at Gutierrez Middle School.

“I enjoy stunting because I’m a flyer,” she said. “I’m the one that they throw up in the air.”

All the girls seem to be flying after their success at camp.

“We were up against a bunch of varsity squads and high school girls,” Alesandra said. “We were one of only two freshman teams there.”