The Temecula Valley Pop Warner Battling Kodiaks (Junior Pee Wee Division), along with another team from their organization, joined over 600 cheer teams from across the country in Las Vegas this past weekend at the JAMZ Youth National Championships. The Event was held at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas between Jan. 22-24, with teams competing in eight different divisions.
Fresh off a win at the Pop Warner Palomar Conference Championships, the West Regional Pop Warner Championships and a fifth place finish at the World Championships in Orlando, Florida, the Battling Kodiaks achieved success once again, winning the Junior Pee Wee Division in Vegas.
“Our division in JAMZ was different this time around and it seemed new to me, but we stayed true and competed in Division 11. The girls on our squad are age 11, hence the Division 11 status, but we held our own against two junior varsity teams (junior high school age) three Pee Wee, one Junior Midget and one Jr. Pee Wee, which was very different from Pop Warner,” says head coach Patricia Mikkelsen.
Coached by Mikkelsen, the Battling Kodiaks also staff assistant coach Starr Stackpole and consists of cheerleaders, Mckenna Duty, Abby Elliott, Hunter Mikkelsen, Caitlin Kujala, Delaney Loveridge, Morgan Mikkelsen, Tara Mahoney, Bree Padgett, Tori Stackpole, Hunter Stackpole and Hailee Stoner, along with Team Mom, Colleen Mahoney.
“As a coach, we see the ‘behind the scenes’ dedication of our Kodiaks” said Assistant Coach Starr Stackpole. “These cheerleaders have worked so hard to overcome any challenges and always manage to push to the top. In my eyes, not only have we gained another national title…we have gained a forever family and memories that will last a lifetime.”
This tournament win capped off a very successful season for the Battling Kodiaks, who will move up a division this next year with the 2016 squad. More info can be found at www.tvpw.org.
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