Competitive all star cheer has experienced immense growth over the past decade, transforming into one of the fastest-evolving sports in the country. Each season, athletes perform skills that once seemed impossible, pushing the boundaries of strength, precision, and fearlessness. As programs grow and training intensifies, the sport’s top competitors continue to raise the difficulty bar—launching into higher tosses with perfect technique, building more complex pyramids, and mastering stunts that demand both elite athleticism and unwavering trust. What was once considered impressive five years ago is now just the baseline, and the progression shows no signs of slowing down.

Each division continues to get more & more competitive, but one division we specifically want to highlight is the unseen passion & dedication of the International divisions. These teams consist of some of the most dedicated athletes in the sport who have been training long hours in the gym for years. They're often some of the longest-standing athletes in their programs, but they sacrifice a lot to take the stage at competitions and do what they do best. 

Kelly Helton, the owner & operator of Cheer Extreme Raleigh, said these athletes showcase true passion, which is what keeps them competing into their adult years. 

"Athletes in competitive cheerleading have a passion for the sport that lasts a lifetime, the same way a skilled athlete who loves football tries their hardest to continue in the NFL well into their thirties, or a baseball player would play in the MLB as long as they could," said Helton. 

Cheer Extreme Raleigh is home to a world-renowned International team named Code Black. They compete in the Level 6 International Open Coed Non-Tumbling division, and have a resume that speaks for itself:

• 3x World Champions
• 5x NCA All-Star National Champions
• 3x UCA National Champions
• 4x CHEERSPORT National Champions
• 2019 Triple Crown Champions 

It's impressive to watch Code Black take the stage where they perform some of the most difficult stunts & pyramids, but make it look simple with perfected technique. What people often don't see is how hard these athletes work to balance a full life schedule & high-level training. 

"Unlike most sports, adult cheerleaders do not get paid for their time in the gym or on the stage," said Helton. "Instead, they often work full-time jobs to be able to afford the travel and cost associated with the sport." 

We asked Code Black for a list of some of their full-time jobs during the day. Their answers showcase truly how well-rounded & dedicated this team is: 

• Ortheopedic Tech at Duke University Hospital 
• 2nd Grade Teacher, Day Care Teacher
• UPS Driver
• Veterinary Assistant/Inventory Manager 
• Certified Pharmacy Technician 
• Cosmetologist 
• Students preparing for the LSAT - successfully got into Law School 
• Students preparing for the MCAT 
• Travel Insurance Specialist 
• Music Producer 
• Coordinator at Residential Real Estate Developer 

Some recent sports headlines have fully mistaken what International cheer divisions are all about. People without understanding saw these divisions as for athletes 18+ and resorted to making comments about needing to "grow up." They jokingly called it an "adult coed cheerleading team" without understanding the relentless grit & athleticism needed to make a team like this. 

At FloCheer, we want to honor and applaud the hard work these athletes put in. They are some of the hardest-working athletes, balancing their life schedules, practicing late, and coming in extra hours for reps. They inspire the younger generation of cheerleaders and are a great example of what it looks like to work hard and succeed in life. 

"Code Black has won the world championship three times, so we attract some of the most competitive athletes and best performers in the industry," said Helton. "So yes, adult coed cheerleading is a thing, and it is something we are very passionate about at Cheer Extreme Raleigh. We consider our teammates a part of our family."

Taylor Dillin is a backspot on Cheer Extreme Raleigh Code Black. He says he works upwards of 40 hours a week and practices late at night, but he continues to do it because indescribable feeling of showcasing that hard work in his routine. 

"'Adult coed cheer' is truly an act of passion and commitment. It becomes a melting pot of styles and experiences. Teams are made up of a group ranging in age from college students to people in their 30s. These teams are made up of people with full-time jobs and some with families. It’s an opportunity to be competitive and very active. It’s a chance to do the sport you fell in love with again. I work upwards of 40+ hours a week and practice late into the night, but it’s all worth it to be able to step out onto that mat and feel that rush again. To feel like I can do anything again," said Dillin.

Staying active is a big part of why these athletes continue to come back. The intense training required to perform these routines keeps them in great shape and inspires them to continue to work hard. Athletes learn incredible life lessons in cheer from learning how to dig deep and continue to push past the limits they thought they had. 

"Our division consists of two minutes of only stunting, pyramids, basket tosses, jumps and performing," Helton said. We run reps at practice for two hours or more until everything is completely perfect. The intensity is extremely high and arduous. We wouldn’t have it any other way. I care about these athletes like they are my own, setting high expectations and making sure they have the resources to fulfill their dreams." 

The idea of 'We wouldn't have it any other way' is exactly right. These teams draw in athletes from all around the world. Thobias Thorwid left behind his life in Europe to be a part of the Code Black team in North Carolina. He says he did it because the work ethic and energy from the team are indescribable. 

“I left a successful media career in Europe because this sport — and this team — inspired me beyond anything else," said Thorwid. "Code Black’s work ethic, precision, creativity, and happy energy made it love at first sight. I’m grateful to keep growing alongside some of the best coaches and athletes in the world, and I hope to show that it’s never too late to chase your dreams!”

So yes, after reading this article, we hope you have a full understanding of the disciplined, driven, and elite-level athletes that make up these so called "adult cheerleading teams." We continue to be inspired by all of the athletes who balance a successful career and shine bright on cheerleading's biggest stages. FloCheer is proud of every team taking the stage in an international division, and encourages you all to continue to break barriers and inspire all of those in our sport.