Wilmington High School’s cheerleading squad members are set to perform at this year’s Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, as part of qualifying at a state-wide competition. The event, which took place at the University of Northern Ohio in Ada, Ohio, featured cheerleaders from around the state competing in team and individual competitions.

The competition is part of the Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA) camps in each state in the U.S., at various locations throughout the state. Of the eight Wilmington cheerleaders to compete in the competition, five qualified as All-Americans.

The qualifying cheerleaders, including seniors, Bryn Tippett, Kensey Parker, Katie Bayless, Gracie Gerard, and junior Alexa Rich, were in attendance at a recent Wilmington City Schools Board of Education meeting with new head coach Sheri Stulz to announce their trip and awards at this past July’s UCA camp.

In order to qualify, athletes must attend a UCA Summer Camp, compete in an All-American Event at their Varsity Spirit Summer Camp, and be selected as All-American athletes during the tryout process.

“Typically, we might have one or two, we might have three or four. We had five,” said Stulz of the qualifying athletes.

This was Coach Stulz’s first year with the squad, taking them to the camp in Northern Ohio in the middle of July. She has been attending the camp for over 12 years now before taking over as a coach at Wilmington High School.

In total, 30 athletes from Wilmington High School attended the camp, the first time they’ve been in over four years, according to Stulz.

“It’s a great opportunity for the kids to get some new material,” said Stulz about the camp. “(They) learn some new things, learn some new skills, and we had a great time.”

As part of qualifying for a special event qualification, athletes were to choose from performing at the Thanksgiving Day Parade in Disney, at the New Year’s Day Parade in London, England, and at the Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade in Hawaii, among others. The athletes chose to perform at the upcoming Cheez-It Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida on Dec. 31, 2024.

“They have chosen to go to Citrus Bowl, during holiday break, and they will be either performing, typically, it’s pregame or halftime,” said Stulz. “Sometimes it’s both. It just depends on who’s the entertainment for the halftime performance.”

“It’s just a wonderful experience for them and a great opportunity for them,” said Stulz. “So I’m super excited.”