Augusta United Cheer headed to nationals

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - After a complete rebuild of the Augusta United Youth Cheer program, two teams are headed to nationals in Florida.

The local cheer organization picked up a new coach and assistant staffing over the last year.

“It’s not just cheer for us, it’s actually building a foundation for the girls to get them started with cheer, develop them with cheer, to get them ready for middle school cheer and high school cheer,” said Reneka Howard, head coach.

They teach cheer to ages five to 13, the girls then compete in the AYC, the American Youth Cheer Division.

After both the 12-U Diamonds team and 8-U Littles team placed at the Southeast Regional, they received an automatic bid to nationals.

The Augusta team beat out cheer groups from Alabama, Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina.

Coach Howard is overwhelmed with how quickly the cheer program turned around.

“They came out here and gave it their all. And believe it or not, a lot of those girls out there, this is their first year in a cheer program at all. So for them to be able to place and make it to Nationals is really huge.”

Both teams will compete in Kissimmee, FL on Dec. 5, 6, & 7.