The US National Adaptive Abilities Teams are comprised of the most talented cheerleaders and dancers with physical, sensory, or intellectual disabilities in America.
USA Adaptive Abilities Cheer or Performance Cheer Teams are chosen as a group to represent the United States in international competition. All ICU Adaptive Abilities Unified Teams must be comprised of Athletes with and without a physical, sensory, or intellectual disability. For the ICU World Championships, ICU AA Unified Teams are required to be comprised of 25% or more athletes with a physical, sensory, or intellectual disability.

Learn More About the Adaptive Abilities Division Options at ICU

2025 ADAPTIVE ABILITIES ATHLETES

ADAPTIVE ABILITIES COACHING STAFF

USA CHEER ADAPTIVE DIRECTOR & HEAD COACH • LEE TRUDELL

Lee Trudell has been in the cheer and dance industry for over 30 years as a cheerleader, camp instructor, UCA Territory Manager, Varsity Judge, USASF Credentialer, AACCA certifier, choreographer, international instructor/choreographer, and Rules Judge and contributor. He most recently contributed to a GMA3 segment on adaptive sports telecast in April 2024 (Good Morning America). Since 2017, Lee started ParaCheer Spirit nfp to provide opportunities for athletes with and without disabilities to work together, side by side, in their passion of sport. In addition to creating the visibility of what disabled athletes CAN DO, he has been instrumental in advocating for the similarity of adaptive cheer /dance, and the adaptive elements available for Level 0 through Level 4. He is currently the Special Olympics North America Advisor, Special Olympics International Committee Member, Director of Adaptive Sports for USACheer, International Cheer Union Advisor for ParaSport Cheer, and Director /Founder ParaCheer Spirit NFP. In addition, his coaching and choreography has several International and World Championships Titles. His mission is to assist programs to develop adaptive cheer /dance across the US to provide opportunities for advanced and elite athletes toward an elite athletic dream.

ADAPTIVE ABILITIES ASSISTANT COACH • ANGELA PIERCE

Angela Pierce has been in the cheer industry for over 30 years as a camp instructor, UCA Territory Manager, Varsity Judge, coach, and choreographer. Angela is the owner of Pierce Athletics where she coaches competitive power tumbling and cheer. Her athletes have earned many local, State and National titles. Angela is the current U.S.T.A. Northern Illinois State Chair as well as a member of the Executive Board serving as the U.S.T.A. Ethics Chair. Angela has been an Assistant Coach for the ParaCheer Spirit Wolves since 2019 and has coached them to several International and World Championship titles.