5, 6, 7, 8 hit! 

National champions.  Who does't like the sound of that?  Just like in any sport, to be national champions earns you recognition and respect; as well as the feeling of success. Knowing that the countless hours of practice, the sweat, the tears, the falls, and the injuries were all worth it in the end, because your team went out on that floor and hit a perfectly solid routine.  

Photo by: Brianne Rios 

  
USA Nationals is the biggest competition on the west coast and is usually the last competition of the season.  USA hosts competitions for high school cheer and dance, all-star, collegiate and dance/drill. 

This past weekend, USA had their annual Spirit Nationals and Collegiate Championships at the Anaheim Convention Center.  Teams from as far as New York and Alaska came out to compete for the chance to win first place and take home not only the title of USA national champion, but with medals, a trophy, backpacks and a banner. 

Yes, in the cheer world a backpack and a banner is a big deal.  

Photo by: Jeff Harvey 

It's a four day competition.  Two days for high school and two for college with the last day being finals.  The judges take your combined score from both days to decide the winner.  

"Cheerleaders work hard. They go from summer camps to national champs," said David Cassarubias, a USA instructor.    

Hate us 'cus we're beautiful, well we don't like you either! 

Photo by: Google 

From TV shows to movies, pop culture has always had a soft spot for cheerleading.  However, it seems these movies and shows effect society's view on cheerleading.  

Shows such as "Glee" and the hit teen comedy "Bring It On" put cheerleaders in a negative light. On "Glee" there are two cheerleaders: one being pregnant and the other ditzy.  In the cult classic movie "Bring It On" there are scenes where the cheerleaders are portrayed as overly dramatic, snobby, and ditzy.  However, there are very difficult stunting and tumbling skills throughout the movie, as well as full out routines.  

Photo by: fanpop.com

The media definitely plays a key role in society's view on cheerleading.  Our society is heavily influenced on the media.  When people watch shows like Glee or the other 3 (unsuccessful) "Bring It On" films, they immediately assume that is how cheerleaders are.  Therefore, the sport of cheerleading lacks the respect from society it deserves.     

TV's newest addition is TLC's Cheer Perfection.  

"It's just a show about moms trying to live vicariously through their 10-year-old daughters. It's interesting to watch, but it can get annoying," says Christian Dixon, an All-Star cheerleader.

Hmm, sounds a lot like TLC's Dance Moms!

Photo by: Google 

"I watched the pilot episode and wish I could have gotten that hour back," says Karli Shutt, a collegiate cheerleader. "Everyone on that show is so negative. Not one thing out of the coaches mouths were positive. A team isn't going to get better if you have a bunch of 'Negative Nancy's.'"

Cheerleading is not what it seems to be on television or in movies, and many people are unaware of that.  Until there is a movie, or a show that shows cheerleaders as the hard-working, smart, and dependable athletes that they are, then society will continue to view them as seen in the media.  

Photos By: Brianne Rios

They stand huddled together in a circle, pumping each other up, praying, waiting to hear their team name called out.  They have 2:30 to show the judges, their family, friends, and other teams what they can do.   Now is the time to stick it, and nothing hits the floor.

Stick it? Hit the floor? Well that's some cheer lingo for you.  

Cheerleading competitions are held in different states all over the country. Competitions are so teams can go out for two-and-a -half minutes to show everyone why they believe they are the best and deserve to win first place.   

"Winning doesn't always mean placing first," says Rey Lozano, Long Beach State's Cheer and Dance Coach, and owner and founder of U.S. Spiritleaders.  "You 'win' just by getting to the point where you have earned the right to step on that floor."

Last Sunday, Long Beach State's Walter Pyramid hosted the King of the Bleachers Cheer and Dance Competition.  Here, high school, college, and all-star teams competed to be number one.  Earning them sweatshirts, a trophy, banner, and medals, as well as the chance to qualify for the Best of the West competition in March.    

"It may not be on a field or a court, but it's a sport. Trust me," says Aaron Talvy, an injured all-star cheerleader. 

What is Cheerleading? 

When you hear the word cheerleader, you probably conjure up an image of a skinny girl in a frilly skirt with her hair in a ponytail, a big bow, pom pons, shouting and jumping on the sidelines of a football game.  Well this is only one type of cheerleader.  

Cheerleading has been around since the late 1800s, and what started off as an all-men's activity has transformed into a world of its own.  It caters to both men and women of all age groups and skill levels. 

Cheeerleading is no longer just school-affiliated, there are now different types: all-star, competitive, youth, collegiate, and professional.  It has changed and branched in order to accommodate the millions of participants worldwide.     

Today, cheerleading isn't based on popularity or just being able to jump up and down and yell, "Go team go!" It requires strength, grace, and gymnastic skills; and, it's potentially as dangerous as a sport.  It's a team sport that requires everyone to do their absolute best both physically and mentally.  It's a sport that has its own set of safety laws produced by the AACCA.    

While most sports throw a ball, cheerleaders throw girls in the air and catch them.  What do you do?