RAINDROPS: Our beginner team offers an introduction to the exciting sport of cheerleading. This is the youngest team (typically preschool through 1st graders new to cheer) and novice squad, focusing on basic tumbling, simple cheers and stunts, chants, dances and jumps, and learn age appropriate cheerleading skills to prepare for performing at exhibition events. The Raindrops team practices for 75-90 minutes once a week. Additional practices may be added on the spring floor to prepare for competitions. 

THUNDER: Our intermediate team is a transition team from exhibition to competitive that is designed to continue building on fundamental entry level cheer skills including tumbling, cheers, stunts, chants, dances and jumps.  Emphasis is placed on correct technique, form and building the proper foundation for safety and advancement. It is recommended that cheerleaders are enrolled in a tumbling class. Basic tumbling for this team includes: forward rolls, cartwheels, bridges, round-offs, and working toward front and back walkovers. This squad practices for 1.5 hours once a week in September, and a 2nd practice to be added around mid-October. Occasional spring floor practices may be added to prepare for competitions.

STORM: (Evaluations required for team placement)  Our competitive Junior Level 1 team is designed to continue building on appropriate level cheer skills including tumbling, cheers, stunts, chants, dances and jumps. Emphasis is placed on correct technique, form and building the proper foundation for safety and advancement. Attention is directed toward developing the necessary strength and flexibility to enable the cheerleader to master the skills and to provide the physical basis needed for more advanced skills. It is required that Level 1 cheerleaders are enrolled in a tumbling class; a MLCA tumble class is available at a group rate. Level 1 tumbling skills: forward rolls, cartwheels, bridges, round-offs, front and back walkovers (working toward back handsprings). The squad practices two days during the week for two hours per practice for a total of 4 hours (including a 1 hour required tumbling class). Athletes must also attend a 2-hour stunt clinic and a 2-day Cheer Choreography Camp at the beginning of the season/September. 

LIGHTNING: (Evaluations required for team placement) Our Lightning team came in 5th in the Nation at this year's Recreational Cheer Championships in Orlando, FL!  Our competitive Level 2 team is our highest level team that focuses on continuing to build cheer skills including tumbling, cheers, stunts, chants, dances and jumps. Emphasis is placed on correct technique and form, plus building the proper foundation for safety and advancement. Additional emphasis is directed toward developing the necessary strength and flexibility to enable the cheerleader to master the skills and to provide the physical basis needed for more advanced skills. It is mandatory that Level 2 cheerleaders are enrolled in a tumbling class; MLCA offers a team tumble class at a group rate. Levels 2 encompasses connected tumbling; skills include cartwheels, round-offs, standing back handsprings, jumps into back handsprings, connected running tumbling (e.g. round-off into a back handspring). As we strive to grow to Level 3 team in the near future, more advanced stunting and tumbling including tucks may be explored. The squad practices two days during the week including a 2 hour practice and a 2.5 hour practice (includes 1 hour required tumble class and 1.5 hours of spring floor practice).  A third day of practice may be added as needed during the season to prepare for competitions. Athletes must attend a 2-hour stunt clinic and a 2-day Cheer Choreography Camp at the beginning of the season/September.