Anyone who meets Anda Udris can tell she's truly passionate about the cheer world. She instantly fell in love with the sport as soon as she began working as medical staff for Varsity Spirit.
"The athletes have such dedication, sense of family and a unique culture. I couldn't help but want to get more involved. For graduate school, I specifically requested the cheer team, but little did I know that the team I would work with would challenge me and bring me my greatest blessings."
Anda was the athletic trainer for Oklahoma State for two years and still cherishes those relationships to this day. Her athletes exposed her to cheer outside of the US and she immediately wanted to be more involved with the international cheer world. She enjoys traveling and visiting new teams, coaches, and gyms to learn new perspectives on the sport.
"Each team has its own unique approach, and when you add a different country to that dynamic, you learn so much more than just athletic capability."
While many Level 6 teams in the United States prepare for The Cheerleading Worlds, teams in Europe prep for the Europeans. Worlds marks the end of the season for many of us, but it is actually in the middle of the season for teams in Europe. Denmark's Level 6 squad, Tigers Unique gives us a glimpse into their preparation for the Europeans and the unique dynamics of their team.
We spoke with Maria, one of their leaders and an athlete of Team Denmark.
[instagram url="https://www.instagram.com/p/BR2YzS8Bqg9/?taken-by=tigersunique" hide_caption="0"]
We have 27 athletes on the team this year with ages ranging from 15 to 27 years old. All of which have previous cheer experience. About 10 athletes have been cheering for 7 or more years.
[instagram url="https://www.instagram.com/p/BOLH5SKBUhb/?taken-by=tigersunique" hide_caption="0"]
Normally, we wouldn't name captains on our team. We usually believe in the team being one and helping each other, It's not something we have done before. This year we only have one coach, we usually have two, so she picked two girls to help with practical instruction and creative inputs at practice. This year, Christina and Signe are our captains.
[instagram url="https://www.instagram.com/p/BOLHncwBUqg/?taken-by=tigersunique" hide_caption="0"]
Our season starts in the middle of August. The first part of our season is used to get to know each other and our stunt groups. We spend most of the first half of the season setting the standard for the team. After the first competition, we get to work on new skills and pyramids before we get into Nationals Month. After Nationals, you hope to qualify for the Europeans by placing 1st or 2nd at Nationals.
If you qualify, you spend the next couple of months perfecting the routine you've already created for the European Cheerleading Championships June 24-25 in Prague. If you don't qualify, you go to a summer competition in Denmark or find a different international competition in which to compete.
[instagram url="https://www.instagram.com/p/BQp0HK1BJnU/?taken-by=tigersunique" hide_caption="0"]
When we go on summer break we really pay attention to our own personal fitness. We practice at a school so we can't really have open gym during the summer. We like to meet up in parks just to have fun and stunt, but working out and keeping our fitness up is our own responsibility.
[instagram url="https://www.instagram.com/p/BONxVKvhLG1/?taken-by=tigersunique" hide_caption="0"]
In the beginning of the season, we usually run before or after practice together as a team and then do strength and conditioning. When we've built the foundation for our fitness level, we only do conditioning at the end of practice or on our own time. During the season we usually practice twice a week.
[instagram url="https://www.instagram.com/p/BRDxT9whsJk/?taken-by=tigersunique" hide_caption="0"]
We try to go outside the country for at least one of our competitions. We mainly compete in Denmark and wherever the Europeans is held. In 2013, we competed at The Cheerleading Worlds for the experience.
[instagram url="https://www.instagram.com/p/BRz3DZDB0_u/?taken-by=tigersunique" hide_caption="0"]
Although we will not get to personally see the Tigers Unique perform in the United States, we wish them the best on their season and are excited to see some of their athletes compete for Team Denmark at ICUs. European team's experience a much different all star season than those in America and we appreciate this glimpse into Tigers Unique's.
[instagram url="https://www.instagram.com/p/BRic6XYhhML/?taken-by=tigersunique" hide_caption="0"]
By: Anda Udris
"The athletes have such dedication, sense of family and a unique culture. I couldn't help but want to get more involved. For graduate school, I specifically requested the cheer team, but little did I know that the team I would work with would challenge me and bring me my greatest blessings."
Anda was the athletic trainer for Oklahoma State for two years and still cherishes those relationships to this day. Her athletes exposed her to cheer outside of the US and she immediately wanted to be more involved with the international cheer world. She enjoys traveling and visiting new teams, coaches, and gyms to learn new perspectives on the sport.
"Each team has its own unique approach, and when you add a different country to that dynamic, you learn so much more than just athletic capability."
Anda Travels To Denmark
While many Level 6 teams in the United States prepare for The Cheerleading Worlds, teams in Europe prep for the Europeans. Worlds marks the end of the season for many of us, but it is actually in the middle of the season for teams in Europe. Denmark's Level 6 squad, Tigers Unique gives us a glimpse into their preparation for the Europeans and the unique dynamics of their team.
We spoke with Maria, one of their leaders and an athlete of Team Denmark.
[instagram url="https://www.instagram.com/p/BR2YzS8Bqg9/?taken-by=tigersunique" hide_caption="0"]
How many athletes make up Tigers Unique?
We have 27 athletes on the team this year with ages ranging from 15 to 27 years old. All of which have previous cheer experience. About 10 athletes have been cheering for 7 or more years.
[instagram url="https://www.instagram.com/p/BOLH5SKBUhb/?taken-by=tigersunique" hide_caption="0"]
Do you have any team captains?
Normally, we wouldn't name captains on our team. We usually believe in the team being one and helping each other, It's not something we have done before. This year we only have one coach, we usually have two, so she picked two girls to help with practical instruction and creative inputs at practice. This year, Christina and Signe are our captains.
[instagram url="https://www.instagram.com/p/BOLHncwBUqg/?taken-by=tigersunique" hide_caption="0"]
What does your typical season look like?
Our season starts in the middle of August. The first part of our season is used to get to know each other and our stunt groups. We spend most of the first half of the season setting the standard for the team. After the first competition, we get to work on new skills and pyramids before we get into Nationals Month. After Nationals, you hope to qualify for the Europeans by placing 1st or 2nd at Nationals.
If you qualify, you spend the next couple of months perfecting the routine you've already created for the European Cheerleading Championships June 24-25 in Prague. If you don't qualify, you go to a summer competition in Denmark or find a different international competition in which to compete.
[instagram url="https://www.instagram.com/p/BQp0HK1BJnU/?taken-by=tigersunique" hide_caption="0"]
How do the Tigers Unique prepare for their season?
When we go on summer break we really pay attention to our own personal fitness. We practice at a school so we can't really have open gym during the summer. We like to meet up in parks just to have fun and stunt, but working out and keeping our fitness up is our own responsibility.
[instagram url="https://www.instagram.com/p/BONxVKvhLG1/?taken-by=tigersunique" hide_caption="0"]
How do you condition during the season?
In the beginning of the season, we usually run before or after practice together as a team and then do strength and conditioning. When we've built the foundation for our fitness level, we only do conditioning at the end of practice or on our own time. During the season we usually practice twice a week.
[instagram url="https://www.instagram.com/p/BRDxT9whsJk/?taken-by=tigersunique" hide_caption="0"]
How many different countries do you compete in?
We try to go outside the country for at least one of our competitions. We mainly compete in Denmark and wherever the Europeans is held. In 2013, we competed at The Cheerleading Worlds for the experience.
[instagram url="https://www.instagram.com/p/BRz3DZDB0_u/?taken-by=tigersunique" hide_caption="0"]
Although we will not get to personally see the Tigers Unique perform in the United States, we wish them the best on their season and are excited to see some of their athletes compete for Team Denmark at ICUs. European team's experience a much different all star season than those in America and we appreciate this glimpse into Tigers Unique's.
[instagram url="https://www.instagram.com/p/BRic6XYhhML/?taken-by=tigersunique" hide_caption="0"]
By: Anda Udris