ECC Red Fox Nationals is just a day away and the Worlds Bids are highly coveted. Every team wants to compete in Florida and every team member has their heart set on the 1st place trophy. But a few, select, individuals go above and beyond the call of duty when it comes to their competitive cheer team. These overachievers come to extra practices, attend weekly private lessons, practice intensely during open gyms, assist their team members, stretch at home, spend endless hours on their trampolines…basically it’s their LIFE!!! Everyone knows that there isn't an “I” in “TEAM” but these highly motivated go-getters raise the bar of expected talent and effort level for their entire team. Meet a few athletes from Bama Allstarz who personify the qualities of truly dedicated, elite cheer athletes. They are female athletes Maddi Mehringer - age 13, Harrison Bevis - age 15, Anna Snider - age 13 and male cheerleader, Carson Fehler - age 17.

Tell us about your cheer background...how long you've been cheering and which team you're on?  

Photo: Daniele Blackburn

MADDI: I have been cheering competitively for ten years. I was born into a cheer gym, so I have been there everyday since the day I was born! I have always done more than two teams every season, because I love to perform. This season I am on our Senior Coed Level 3 (Red Diamondz) and our Senior Hip Hop (Platinum Diamondz) as well as our Senior Medium Coed Level 5 (Black Diamondz). (Black & White photo: Maddi)

HARRISON: I got my start as a competitive gymnast and then I switched to competitive cheer at Bama All Starz five years ago. I started on a Level 2 team and I have consistently moved up as I progressed my skills with the help of my great gym and coaches. I am now on Black Diamondz, a Level 5 team, and I was also on Black Diamondz last year as well. 

ANNA: I started competitive cheerleading when I was seven years old with Bama Allstarz. I was on two teams Baby Diamondz (Mini Level 1) and White Diamondz (Youth Level 2). During my third year I was on Blue Diamondz (Junior Level 3) and we won nearly every competition that year, including Cheersport, and we received a fully paid bid to the Summit in its debut season. We didn't get to go to the Summit that year because of state school testing but I think we would have done really well. I am now 13 years old and on Black Diamondz (Senior Level 5).

CARSON: I started competitive cheer when I was 10 years old and this is my seventh year of cheering. I’ve been cheering at Bama Allstarz for all seven years. I'm on the Black Diamondz Medium Coed Level 5 team. I also cross over to Red Diamondz, our Small Coed Level 3.


What is your specialty and what should we watch for this weekend as you compete?

MADDI: I love to perform and do lots of facials. I also fly, tumble, and love to dance. Something to watch is my personality on stage! 

Photo: Becky Bevis

HARRISON: My specialty is tumbling and main basing.  This weekend you should look for me as I tumble across the front and then end the routine as the point dancer.  I have a great stunt group that includes Carson Fehler, Bonnie Barber and Maddi Mehringer. (Photo: Harrison)

ANNA: I would say my specialty is flying so look for me in the air!

CARSON: I would say my specialties are energizing the team in warm ups and during our performance. This weekend, you should watch for my pass at the very end of the routine during the dance.


Do you participate in any other activities besides cheerleading?

MADDI: I am currently a member of my school student council as a representative officer, as well as yearbook staff, National Junior Honor Society, a Finley award winner, and I help special needs kids cook during free period in school. 

HARRISON: Other than Bama Allstarz, I cheer for Hoover High School and I am on the Hoover High School Competitive team.  I am involved in volunteer clubs at school, National Junior Honor Society, my church and my family is a foster family.

ANNA: I have cheered for the Simmons Middle School football and basketball teams in both 7th and 8th grade.  I am looking forward to trying out for the Simmons Middle School tennis team this year.
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CARSON: Aside from cheer, I participate in the Hoover High School marching band, Symphonic band, and the First Edition Jazz Band. I also work a part time job at Yogurt Mountain.


How would your teammates describe you?

MADDI: Fun, energetic, encouraging, confident in myself and confident in the rest of my teammates. I think they would say that I am devoted, hard working, selfless, and competitive!
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HARRISON: I hope that they would say that I am supportive.  I am also a hard worker, very competitive and I am a perfectionist.  

ANNA: I think my teammates would describe me as hardworking and supportive.

CARSON: My teammates describe me as energetic and as a leader because I am constantly pumping up the team. I always work to keep the team hyped during practice and at competitions. 
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Have you won any awards or honors for cheerleading? What were they?

MADDI: I've won two Cheersport National titles, five The One Championship titles, 19 WSA Grand National titles, three Jamfest National titles, four America's Best titles, the celebrity stand out Jamfest Live award, nominated for cheerleader of the month for Cheer Rebels, and a member of the Inside Cheerleading Team Jr. All American 2015.

HARRISON: I was chosen by my coaches as Bama Allstarz Diamond of the Year for my team which is something I am very proud of.  This year I was also chosen as a UCA All American cheerleader at our high school cheer camp.  

ANNA: In my first year cheering on Baby Diamondz I received the Diamond of the Year Award.  I received the Prime Time Performance Award during my fourth year of cheering for Bama Allstars. I have also received the UCA All American award both years at UCA cheer camp. (Photo: Anna)

CARSON: I've won three of the most prestigious awards in the Bama Allstarz program, Diamond of the Year. The award symbolizes not only being a skillful cheerleader, but being a champion on and off the mat, and always being gracious and showing good character.


Tell us something that most people might not know about you.

MADDI: I have Accessory Navicular Bone Syndrome. This means that I have extra bones on the insides of my feet that I was born with. It kind of looks like I have 2 ankle bones on the side of my feet.

HARRISON: I love heights, roller coasters and I would eat Mac and Cheese every day if I could! 

ANNA: Something that most people might not know about me is that I love playing musical instruments. I am a self taught piano player and I took drum lessons for a year. Another interesting thing is that my sister and I started cheering with Bama Allstarz at the same time. She was actually on Black Diamondz with me this year but she ruptured her achilles tendon in August and had to quit competitive cheer this year. I really miss her being my backspot! 
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Photo: Carson Fehler

CARSON: Before I found Bama Allstarz, I was actually a gymnast for almost a full year until a good friend of mine told me about all star cheer. I came to a tumbling class and instantly fell in love and I've been doing it nonstop ever since! (Photo: Carson & Maddi)