BILLINGS – Apex Elite Cheer has been busy. They’re about to get even busier.
The team traveled to Portland, Ore. in March and competed at the PacWest Nationals in All-Star Dance.
Apex Elite’s scores at Nationals in Portland secured a bid to the exclusive Summit in Orlando Florida at the ESPN World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World in May.
“It is the Super Bowl of cheer and dance, so we’re really excited about that,” Apex Elite coach Christine Baker said.
The only way to qualify is by scoring top percentages of all teams in the running.
The Summit will expose them to top-level competition, instruction, and memories.
“I’m just excited to be with all the athletes because one thing about competition is that everyone is super nice there,” Apex cheerleader Jadyn Baker said. “Like you did such a good job, or good luck before you go on, everyone’s really nice there.”
Before they head to Florida, they will put their skills to the test in another nationals competition in Anaheim, Calif.
Lessons and critiques given here will help them prepare and polish moves for The Summit.
“We get feedback on what we should make better or what they liked,” Jadyn said.
This is Apex Elite’s first year competing as a gym, and the PacWest Nationals prestigious position was also earned at their first competition of the season.
Apex is the only all-star dance and cheer team from Billings to earn a spot at The Summit.
The 5 high school students pour hours into their training. The team, coached by Christine Baker, happens to include 3 siblings, two of which are twins.
“They just are amazing. They surprise me every day,” Christine said. “It doesn’t matter how tired they are, how sore they are. Their work ethic is probably the thing that has impressed me the most.”
The consensus is, it is worth it.
“I just love the experience, you know,” Jadyn said. “Having a team and going out on that stage, there’s nothing like the feeling.”
The group is raising their own money to pay for the trip. t Apex Elite’s Facebook page or GoFundMe site.
The team consists of Morgain Baker, Kaleigh Baker, Jadyn Baker, Delaney Oblander, Aspyn Zundel.
Reporting by Jenny Fick for MTN News
