Elite Cheer Team ready to compete
BY DAVID POLLARD dpollard@pioneerlocal.com January 26, 2012 9:56AM
Elmwood Park Elite cheer team demonstrates a routine on Jan. 21, 2012, in Elmwood Park. Elmwood Park Elite Competitive Cheer Association team is going to be begin it's competitive season and the preview was for friends and family. | Rob Hart~Sun-Times Media
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Updated: February 27, 2012 8:38AM
The cheerleaders that make up EP Elite gave family, friends and residents a preview of the routine they will be performing at a competition Sunday.
About 50 people showed up at the Elmwood Park Recreation Center to see the routine by the Elmwood Park Elite Competitive Cheer Team.
Coach Catherine Czoti said the preview performance was for those who would not be able to make the Jan. 29 Xtreme Spirit Dance and Cheer Mardi Gras Classic in Schaumburg.
She said they’ve had a few injuries in their group but are prepared to perform.
“This was our first performance in a while and I was pleasantly surprised,” she said.
The cheerleading team is overseen by Elmwood Park Youth Commission and is one of the many programs the recreation department offers.
Patty Stranski, a youth commission member whose daughter is on the team, said they practice six to 10 hours a week for eight months to do a routine that is a little over two minutes. There are 14 girls on the team who range in age from 10 to 14.
She said their team holds their own against teams that have a lot more financial support. “These kids are fantastic,” she said.
Stranski said she makes sure the girls do well during practice, but they make their share of mistakes.
But she says when it’s time to perform, they perform.
“They bring it at the meet,” she said. “When they get on that stage with the lights and speakers they are like pros. Every stunt they miss in practice, they hit it at the meet.”
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