NORWICH – The Chenango All Star Competitive Cheerleading team is busy preparing for its first competition of the season at Idlewild and Soak Zone Cheerleading Competition in Ligonier PA on July 31. As they say in their cheer, they are a small team that makes up for their size with a lot of heart and determination.

The members of the Chenango All Stars are in no way restricted to Chenango County. The participants come from far and wide, united in their enjoyment of this competitive sport. “Our kids come from schools such as traditional rivals Oneonta and Norwich, Afton, Sherburne, Mt Markham and Morris.” explains co-owner Nancy Swertfager. “But we all love to cheer and that overcomes any feelings of rivalry we might encounter.

In this day and age, the sport is not limited to girls either. “Our team is coed this year, which opens up a lot of doors to us as far as some of the exciting stunts we can create” says Swertfager. “There are so many scholarship opportunities for male cheerleaders outside of high school these days. It is something more guys are beginning to take advantage of.”