Saturday 23rd March 2013 saw the beginning of Aviator Allstars’ Nationals season as the program headed to Nottingham Ice Arena for the ICC British Open – a huge annual competition that Aviators have been attending since 2009. There was a lot riding on this competition – Aviator Aces, the newest AV team, were hungry for success and recognition within a very tough Senior Co-Ed Level 5 division. The Leeds Metropolitan team had so far gone unbeaten all season, and with a flawless routine, expectations were high in an extremely tough Senior Co-Ed Level 3 division littered with Allstar teams from reputable squads all over the country. Leeds University Celtics had taken a huge leap of faith for this competition, and in just two weeks had transformed their level 4 and level 2 routines into Open routines – Level 6. The atmosphere amongst the teams was palpable as they all prepared to take to the mat and show what they had been working so hard for.
Aviator Allstars Program ICC Nationals 2013 (Photos courtesy of Andy Brown)
The first team to take to the mat was Leeds Celtics co-ed. This team had so far this season gone undefeated and even picked up the Grand Champions trophy at Jamfest Northern – but that was at Level 4. The team had put in the hours, the blood, sweat and tears, to produce a very strong level 6 routine. It hadn’t been an easy ride – they’d lost people with other committments, people were injured, people were sick, yet they managed to pull together through all of this and represent their university and the AV program fantastically. The routine that Celtics Co-Ed competed on Saturday was a valiant effort but not without its flaws and every single member of that team came off that mat determined to produce their very best on Sunday. However, the team were very pleased to finish Saturday in 1st place in the University Co-Ed division, and a clean routine would be the icing on the cake to end their season in style.
Celtic Coed ICC Nationals 2013 (Photo courtesy of Andy Brown)
Second, it was the turn of the Celtics All-Girl team. This team, made up of mostly complete beginners to cheer, have had nothing short of a fairytale season in 2012-2013. Placing first in a mammoth 24 team division at Future Cheer University (Saturday Night Fever) competition, and placing second in a large All-Star division at Jamfest Northern, the team were extremely keen to emulate their previous success. The jump from level 2 to level 6 is nothing short of huge, and the team had put in all their efforts to produce a very credible level 6 routine, and couldn’t wait to compete it. Apart from a couple of pyramid issues, the girls did extremely well and definitely raised a few eyes! They finished Saturday in 3rd place – with 2nd place tantalisingly close, but also with 4th place nipping at their heels – so the pressure was on!
Celtic All Girl ICC Nationals 2013 (Photos courtesy of Andy Brown)
Carnegie Aviators were next to take the floor in the Senior Co-Ed 3 division. As usual, they produced a stellar, clean routine, performed to the max. These guys have worked incredibly hard to produce one of the cleanest routines around this season and they definitely did themselves, and the program, proud. They finished Saturday in a very respectable 4th place in such a large division, and had faith that another clean routine would secure them a top spot on Sunday.
Carnegie Aviators ICC Nationals 2013 (Photos courtesy of Andy Brown)
The anticipation when Aviator Aces opened the Senior Co-Ed 5 division was almost unbearable. The team had worked so hard to produce a routine with insane stunting skills, death defying pyramid transitions, and impressive tumbles. They did not disappoint. The team absolutely destroyed their incredibly skilled routine and came off feeling incredibly proud that they had proved they could hit a difficult routine. They placed in 4th on Saturday and this gave them a huge fire to ensure they hit just as clean, if not cleaner, on Sunday.
Aviator ACES ICC Nationals 2013 (Photo courtesy of Andy Brown)
Sunday rolled around, and AV rocked up at the Ice arena, tired, but oh so determined.
Celtics Co-Ed went out on the floor determined to hold on to that top spot. They produced a much cleaner routine, to the enjoyment of everyone watching. They quite rightly came off chuffed with themselves – proving their hard work and adversity had paid off! What an incredibly difficult and visually exciting level 6 pyramid, lib skills that some allstar teams would be envious of, and some extremely talented tumblers. They did Leeds University, and Aviator Allstars, proud.
Celtic Coed ICC Nationals 2013 (Photo courtesy of Andy Brown)
Celtics All-Girl followed not so long afterwards, proving to everyone that the previously little-known Level 2 team could indeed step it up and compete in Level 6! The crowd’s amazement at the three thigh stand towers, and the half-up A-frame, confirmed that the team had cemented their spot in University cheer history.
Celtic All Girl ICC Nationals 2013 (Photos courtesy of Andy Brown)
Carnegie Aviators didn’t disappoint once again, showing that determination, fire and passion for what they do best, and why they’re regarded as one of the strongest university cheerleading teams. The double cupie, the countless pyramid transitions and dismounts, and amazing dance turned more than a few heads!
Carnegie Aviators ICC Nationals 2013 (Photos courtesy of Andy Brown)
Finally, it was the turn of Aviator Aces. I’ve never seen a team more determined than these 17 people, who absolutely smashed their routine, with no drops, and cleanliness throughout. The skills alone were impressive enough – partner stunt ball-up stretches, 1.5 twist ups, tic tock sequences, double fulls, a five-whip jump with a tuck, and the famous hand-in-hands to open the pyramid. Absolutely breathtaking. These guys, rightly so, exited the floor with their heads held high, and their last voiceover ringing in everyone’s head – “You wanna be on Aces!”
Aviator ACES ICC Nationals 2013 (Photo courtesy of Andy Brown)
Results time had rolled around and everyone could feel the nerves.
Carnegie were announced, and they had finished in 4th place. This is an incredible achievement for a university team in a National Allstar division!
Next it was time for the University division. Celtics Co-Ed had managed not only to hold on to their top spot, but picked up the Grand Champions trophy! A massive achievement.
Celtics All-Girl were elated to have jumped UP a place and finished in 2nd place. What an astounding victory for this team, who finished higher than some university teams who normally compete at a much higher level than them!
Aviator Aces finished in 4th Place. The team were extremely proud with the knowledge that they had produced a clean, skilled routine, and had more than done the program proud.
Well done to ALL Aviator teams who performed at this competition – you were all fantastic, and proved why we’re Flying High Forever. Well done to all of the coaches, especially Head Coaches Tim and Rachel who put in so much time and effort to ensure that your routines are ready for such a prestigious competition. We are so proud of you all!!
– Kelly Loughlin
Aviator Allstars 