Thomson Competitive Bulldogs returned to Atlanta recently to test themselves against 900 other teams from 37 states and several countries in the Cheersport Nationals at the Georgia Congress Center. With more than 200,000 people in attendance, the cheerleading competition is the second largest convention held in Atlanta.
The TCB Senior Team brought home the gold as the National Champions.
The Junior Gold team - which was the previous Junior Recreational National Champions - fell to second place behind an established Savannah team. The Junior Gold team is made up of cheerleaders from 8-14 years of age. They are the first team to have a male competitor on the squad.
The Junior Black All-Star team which consists of cheerleaders from age 12-14 competed in one of the most popular and demanding divisions. The division had more than 40 teams competing and was subdivided into four sessions. The Junior Black All-Star team placed third in their division and ninth overall, edging out several local competitors from the CSRA.
Two new TCB teams made their debut this year at Nationals. The Youth Black All-Stars consists of cheerleaders from ages 9-11, and they brought home fifth place in their division - which had 42 teams. TCB Youth Gold - cheerleaders 8 years and under - competed in a huge division and placed 12th.
The girls were treated to yet another experience in that they were able to see one of there coaches take on the role as competitor. Cassidy Adams performed with the University of Georgia competitive team, which won a national title.
The Thomson Competitive Bulldogs is made up of five squads, with cheerleaders from ages 6 to 18 years of age from Jefferson, Glascock, Warrenton, Lincoln, Wilkes, Columbia and McDuffie counties. Each team will attend the national competition in 2009. TCB's tryouts are in May.
