Elite Cheer team makes it to the top

THE BEST- The Elite Cheer youth and junior teams relax for a photo shoot while attending the USA Nationals competition that was held recently in Anaheim. The Elite Cheer girls all-star team recently performed at several competitions in Long Beach, Anaheim, San Diego, Irvine and Agoura.

The program has two teams, youth and juniors, that work out two days a week at Monarch's Gymnastics in Newbury Park. There are 50 girls in the program from ages 5 to 16.

The youth team took first in every competition it entered this year, including the USA Nationals held in March at the Anaheim Convention Center.

The junior team finished second at the USA Nationals and first at the Extreme Games held in Long Beach. They also performed at the Staples Center recently for the Avengers' football halftime show.

Most of the athletes attend Brookside and Red Oak elementary schools, Medea Creek Middle School and Oak Park High School. Some attend school in Westlake Village, Calabasas and Agoura.

Elite Cheer will host further tryouts in June. For more information, call Carolyn Ann Purkey at (818) 674-9399, or visit www.elitecheerall-stars.com.