Cheerleading Coverage

Fayetteville pee-wee cheerleaders holding fundraiser to go to national competition

The competition is in Florida. The children, however, need your help to compete on the national stage.

Parents say Charlotte schools' cheer safety policy banning braids, wigs is discriminatory

Five Hopewell High School mom's say their daughters made the cheerleading team, but were told if they wear braids or wigs, they would be kicked off the squad.

WCNC

17-year-old NC cheerleader who suffered cardiac arrest says her mom is her hero

The 17-year-old cheerleader who suffered cardiac arrest during a recent competition in Raleigh is back home in Harnett County after several scary days in the hospital.

17-year-old cheerleader goes into cardiac arrest during warm-up at Raleigh high school

A 17-year-old Harnett County cheerleader is recovering at Duke Medical Center after going into cardiac arrest during a recent competition.

Gilbert Baez, WRAL Fayetteville reporter

Mother saves life of 17-year-old daughter who went into cardiac arrest at Raleigh high school

A 17-year-old Harnett County cheerleader is recovering at Duke Medical Center after suffering a heart attack during a recent competition.

High school's only cheerleader keeps her spirits high

A Kansas City high school only has one cheerleader to energize the crowd during basketball games. When it comes to school spirit, few can bring it more than Jaziah Rowe.

Varsity Spirit lawyers threaten to sue for defamation after lawsuit claims sexual abuse of teen athlete

Lawyers representing Varsity Spirit said they are prepared to sue for defamation.

Mark Bergin, WRAL senior multiplatform producer

Parents frustrated with Wake schools' severing of ties with cheerleading company after lawsuit

Families of cheerleaders in Wake schools say they were called on Friday and told that the county was no longer participating in upcoming competitions with Varsity Spirit in response to a federal lawsuit against the company.

Keenan Willard, WRAL Eastern North Carolina reporter

Wake Co. schools cutting ties with cheerleading company named in lawsuit

The Wake County Public School System says it is cutting ties with cheerleading company Varsity Spirit.

Companies respond to federal lawsuit filed against Raleigh cheer gym

Michelle Peterson spoke with WRAL News on Friday to discuss the federal lawsuit filed against Cheer Extreme Raleigh, the entire USA Cheer organization and select coaches.

'Protecting athletes is not a priority': Expert on child sexual abuse prevention reacts to lawsuit filed against Raleigh cheer gym

Michelle Peterson spoke with WRAL News on Friday to discuss the federal lawsuit filed against Cheer Extreme Raleigh, the entire USA Cheer organization and select coaches.

Keenan Willard, WRAL eastern North Carolina reporter

Federal lawsuit alleges sexual abuse at Raleigh Cheer Extreme gym

According to the lawsuit, the teen reported the abuse to the coaches at Cheer Extreme Raleigh. However, the suits said nothing was done to stop it.

Federal lawsuit alleges sexual abuse at Raleigh Cheer Extreme gym

According to the lawsuit, the teen reported the abuse to the coaches at Cheer Extreme Raleigh, including to director Chase Burns. However, the suits said nothing was done to stop it.

WRAL Staff

Cheer gym closes after 9 test positive for coronavirus

Kelly Helton, owner and operator of the gymnasium, said two coaches and seven athletes tested positive in the past week, but none of them is seriously ill. Prior to that, only seven cases were connected to the gym since it reopened in late May, she said.

Raleigh cheerleading gym closed after cluster of coronavirus cases

Cheer Extreme in south Raleigh will be closed through Nov. 1 after nine people connected with the acrobatics program tested positive for COVID-19 in a single week.

Joe Fisher, WRAL reporter

A-listers take part in routine with Los Angeles Lakers cheerleaders

The Los Angeles Lakers are known to attract celebrities to their games, but Tuesday night, they got a couple of A-listers to become active participants on the floor.

Texas cheerleader hailed as hero for saving small boy who was choking

A north Texas High school cheerleader is being hailed a hero for saving a little boy from choking. The teenager was participating in her school's homecoming parade when she jumped into action.

Coaching keeps this mom of five young at heart

It's difficult to comprehend exactly how Jennifer Marks manages to find the time to accomplish everything she does. But, fortunately for her family and the nationally-renowned cheerleading squad she coaches, she doesn't need much sleep.

Coleen Hanson Smith, Go Ask Mom writer