If you’ve seen the popular cheerleading movie “Bring it On,” you may already know that cheerleading is more than just pom-poms and human pyramids. Every year cheer teams from around the world gather at the most magical place on earth to showcase their skills. For senior Alex Stransky, going to The Cheerleading Worlds in DisneyWorld on April 23-25 meant competing against the best of the best while doing what she loves.

In order to qualify for the Worlds, cheerleading teams must receive a bid at a prior competition. Stransky’s level 5 Cheer St. Louis Archangels team received a “paid” bid, meaning their trip to Worlds was paid for. However, getting this type of bid isn’t easy. Judges score each team based on their tumbling, stunting, jump technique, choreography and overall performance. Only the top teams are given a paid bid to Worlds. The competition at the international competition was fierce, but Stransky and her team didn’t let that intimidate them.

“I got to see teams cheer from different countries, which was interesting. It was the last competition of the season and we put everything we could out on the floor,” said Stransky.

As a back spot and secondary base, Stransky, along with her twenty-one teammates, took ESPN’s Wide World of Sports by storm. With only one deduction, the Archangels finished in the top half of all teams that they competed against, an accomplishment every cheerleader strives for.

“We came together as a team over this trip and I am so thankful for the teammates I had this year. Our coaches said our presence on the floor was the best we’ve ever had. It was definitely one of the best trips I’ve been on,” said Stransky.

Even though Worlds and her competition career are over, Stransky isn’t stopping cheer anytime soon. She is trying out for Mizzou cheer on April 28 through May 1 and hopes to make the revered squad. Good luck this weekend, Alex! The St. Dominic community is cheering you on!