After making history at the World Cheerleading Competition in Orlando, Fla., Team Smoke from Regina’s RCA Rebels Cheerleading is now the Sask Sport Athlete of the Month for April.
On April 25, Team Smoke became the first-ever Saskatchewan-based cheerleading team to win gold at the event, as they became World Champions and topped the International Open Level Five division. They edged out 26 of the best from across the world, including teams from United Kingdom, Australia, Costa Rica, enroute to the top of the podium.
Coached by Eric Bestvater, the team opened the event with a near-perfect routine, scoring 123.4 in the semifinal with no deductions. With the top-three teams from each country earning their way into Monday’s final, Team Smoke finished in first-place overall and their score, gave them the chance to make history.
The Regina-based team continued their success in the final, scoring 82.0667 ensuring they would come home with gold around their necks.
With the award, they became the first team since the Athlete of the Month program was revived in August of 2021.
Team Smoke was nominated by RCA Rebels Cheerleading and supported by Saskatchewan Cheerleading Association.
Other Nominees:
- McKay Brown, Weightlifting, nominated by Saskatchewan Weightlifting Association
- Avery Pearson, Athletics, nominated by Saskatchewan Athletics
- Marrisa Skavlebo, Broomball, nominated by Saskatchewan Broomball Association