Pictured is the Ice Storm Team from Intensity Cheer Elite based out of Horseheads, N.Y. Tioga County youth, Madison Bailes, in the center of the pyramid, has been competing since age four. Now 12, Madison and her team will compete at The Summit, considered the “Superbowl of Cheerleading,” scheduled in late April in Tampa, Florida. (Provided Photos)
Pictured is the Ice Storm Team from Intensity Cheer Elite based out of Horseheads, N.Y. after winning the One-Up competition in Syracuse. Tioga County youth, Madison Bailes, front row center holding the banner, will compete with her team at The Summit, considered the “Superbowl of Cheerleading,” scheduled in late April in Tampa, Florida.
Twelve year old Tioga County youth Madison Bailes, a member of the Junior 3 “Ice Storm Team” from Intensity Cheer Elite based out of Horseheads, N.Y., will soon compete at The Summit, an event considered the “Super Bowl of Cheerleading,” one of the most prestigious cheerleading competitions within the all-star industry. A breakthrough accomplishment for the gym and their first time at The Summit, the competition is scheduled at the end of April in Tampa, Florida.
Cheer and dance coach, Ashley Kennedy, explained that the all-star cheerleading nationals held in Massachusetts last month ultimately led Ice Storm to The Summit. An impressive feat, 55 other small gyms in their D2 division, a program with 125 or less athletes, also vied for the opportunity.
Kennedy shared, “They competed against the best of the best, and placed the highest ever at an out-of-state nationals. They also won the only D2 summit bid the competition handed out.” Previous to the January event, the Ice Storm Team also won competitions in Rochester and Syracuse, N.Y.
Madison, who lives in Apalachin and is a student at Owego Middle School, participated at The Summit two years ago with a team from Ohio. Madison and her parents, Tony and Barb Bailes, recently moved to Tioga County, transferring here with Tony’s job at Lockheed Martin.
Competitive all-star cheerleading is relatively new to the Southern Tier of New York. Barb Bailes explained that a previous gym Madison attended in North Canton, Ohio has been participating in all-star competitions for 25 years, where Intensity Cheer Elite out of Horseheads got their start about eight years ago.
Youth cheerleading is generally categorized as three types – all-stars, scholastic and recreational. The dedication to practice and performing with sights focused on competitions sets all-star cheerleading apart from the other types, and gyms instruct athletes in tumbling and gymnastics as well. All-star cheerleaders, typically with a significantly higher level of skills, do not cheer for other sport teams like scholastic or recreational cheerleaders, although scholastic and recreational cheerleaders are an excellent talent source for all-star programs.
First introduced to the sport at the age of four, practice for Madison, a “flyer” on her team, consists of six hours or more each week, including tumbling, jumps and stunt practices. Madison’s team includes ten other girls and one boy.
Barb commented, “Early on it was a way to keep her active with other children her age, and something fun to do.”
Today, now eight years later, the fun of it all has turned into genuine love for the sport, to the degree that Madison has future aspirations of becoming a successful collegiate cheerleading athlete.
“I like the University of Kentucky,” Madison shared.
Known as one of the most prestigious collegiate cheerleading programs, the Lexington, Kentucky cheerleading squad has won the Universal Cheerleaders Association National College Cheerleading Championships 21 times, including the 2016 title.
The path to a collegiate team will take many more dedicated years of training, including participation on a “world team” prior to setting foot on a college campus. Now taking one jump and stunt at a time, and to keep her skills and school life well-rounded, Madison has also participated on the Owego Junior Football League cheer squad and basketball cheer, and squeezes in time for band and chorus. The Bailes’ have also pursued additional skill training outside of what Madison receives at Intensity Cheer Elite, for example local dance and gymnastics classes.
Madison and the Ice Storm Team will compete at the Elmira College Dome on Feb. 21, home to the Elmira College cheerleading team who won the Cheersport Nationals title on Feb. 14.
Intensity Cheer Elite is located within the Arnot Mall at 3300 Chambers Rd. in Horseheads, N.Y. For information, call (607) 684-4834, visit their website intensitycheerelite.com, or find them on Facebook.
