Four teams have been selected to represent the United States in the International Cheer Union World Championships
Bartlett, Tenn., February 27, 2019 – USA Cheer has announced that it will be fielding four teams in the Special Ability and Adaptive Ability divisions at the 2019 International Cheer Union (ICU) World Cheerleading Championships, which takes place April 24 – 26, 2019 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at the Walt Disney World® Resort.
USA Cheer, a member nation of the ICU, is committed to expanding opportunities for athletes of all abilities. The Special Abilities divisions offer competitive opportunities for athletes with and without an Intellectual Disability. The Adaptive Abilities divisions (formerly called “ParaCheer”) offer competitive opportunities for athletes with and without all disabilities.
“The athletes in the Special Abilities and Adaptive Abilities divisions at the ICU Championships have a tremendous work ethic, and we are looking forward to seeing their passion, ability, and energy on the global stage,” says Tony Nash, Director of US National Teams for USA Cheer. “We know their commitment to cheerleading and their teammates will be an inspiration to everyone around the world.”
This year’s Special Abilities and Adaptive Abilities divisions are coached by a diverse group of coaches from Illinois and Colorado. Unified Teams are comprised of athletes with and without disabilities; Traditional Teams are comprised of athletes with disabilities. Here are the 2019 Special Ability and Adaptive Ability teams:
| Team Name | Coaching Staff | City, State |
| US National Special Abilities Unified Team | Kaylee Pellack (Head Coach) | Orland Park, Ill. |
| Megan Picard (Asst. Coach) | Orland Park, Ill. | |
| US National Special Abilities Traditional Team | Michelle Kostelecky (Head Coach) | Lafayette, Colo. |
| Sloan Leiker (Asst. Coach) | Lafayette, Colo. | |
| Wendy Ayers (Asst. Coach) | Lafayette, Colo. | |
| US National Adaptive Abilities Unified Coed Advanced Team | Lee Trudell (Head Coach) | Chicago, Ill. |
| Angela Pierce (Asst. Coach) | Chicago, Ill. | |
| US National Adaptive Abilities Unified Median Team | Lee Trudell (Head Coach) | Chicago, Ill. |
| Jane Stein (Asst. Coach) | Chicago, Ill. | |
| Ricky Chones (Asst. Coach) | Chicago, Ill. |
For more information about USA Cheer, contact Sheila Noone, media@usacheer.org.
About USA Cheer
The USA Federation for Sport Cheering is a not-for-profit organization and is the national governing body for all disciplines of cheerleading. USA Cheer exists to serve the entire cheer community, including club cheering (All Star), traditional school based cheer programs and the new sport of STUNT. USA Cheer has three primary objectives: help grow and develop interest and participation in Cheer throughout the United States; promote safety and safety education for cheer in the United States; and represent the United States of America in international cheer competitions.