FloCheer is highlighting the small gyms and programs that help elevate All Star cheer and build champion athletes on and off the mat for Small Gym September. This week, we’re excited to share the story of ParaCheer Spirit - the first & only program of its kind providing opportunities for adaptive cheerleading!

Quick Hits with ParaCheer Spirit:

Location: The program is primarily based out of Pierce Athletics in Freeport, Illinois. 

First Year: 2017

Number of Teams This Season: We will have two adaptive teams this season

Website - Click here for more

The Story of ParaCheer Spirit: 

Adaptive cheerleading at the elite competitive level (levels 3+) was a void in the industry, and our program was founded in 2017 to fill it. As the first, and currently only (as far as we know) program of this kind in the US, we are pushing the boundaries of the way abilities divisions are perceived. Our program serves as a reminder that inclusion goes way beyond the mat - it is part of everyday life! Our efforts in adapting traditional cheer skills are paving the way for a future where cheerleading really is for everyone. We are also part of a larger grassroots initiative to develop adaptive cheerleading, with our end goal being the Paralympics.

- Sarah Callaby, Para Cheer Spirit Athlete

Learn More About the ParaCheer Spirit Coaches:

A fun fact is that ParaCheer Spirit does not have a traditional gym owner as they are a nonprofit organization. The program founder and director is Lee Trudell. The ParaCheer Spirit program is primarily based out of Pierce Athletics, which is owned by the ParaCheer Spirit assistant coach Angela Pierce. A fun fact about Coach Angela is that she stepped up and took the Worlds stage with the team this year to assist her son, Jayden, who competed in a wheelchair after he ruptured his Achilles less than six weeks before Worlds!

Fun Facts about ParaCheer Spirit: 

The ParaCheer Spirit team is made up of athletes from coast to coast, representing more than 10 states. Outside of competition, the team performs at various adaptive sporting events, most recently a Move United Wheelchair Football tournament. The team has also been featured by a variety of news outlets over the years, including a Good Morning America story in April of 2024. Most recently, the team was highlighted in three podcasts and a magazine article with Move United.

Check Out The Incredible Resume of ParaCheer Spirit:

• First US appearance 
  • Median Cheer
• 2019 ICU World Championships
  • USA takes GOLD in the median division
  • First US appearance in the advanced division
• 2019 ICU Pan American Champions!
  • First Adaptive team at a continental championship
• 2020 Adaptive Cheer demonstration at NHSCC
• 2021 Adaptive Game Day demonstration 
• World Championships 2023
  • USA takes GOLD in Advanced Cheer & Hip Hop
• 2024 ICU World School Cheerleading Championship 
  • First-ever Adaptive Abilities Game Day GOLD medalist 
• 2024 ICU World Championship
  • Silver medalist 
• 2024 ICU Pan American Champions
• 2025 US National Team representative

Hear from program founder & director Lee Trudell

FloCheer would like to congratulate ParaCheer Spirit on doing incredible things for our sport & continuing to break barriers! We always love watching these athletes take the stage. ParaCheer Spirit says their goal this season & every season is to continue leveling up adaptive skills and spreading awareness for adaptive cheer. You can watch them in action this season at the ICU World Championships, and hopefully the U.S. Finals & World Championships.