Update: Hawaii All-Stars Cap Amazing Season at The Summit

Hawaii All-Stars’ Small Senior Level 4 team poses with its second-place banner Sunday in Orlando, Fla. Photo by Kealii Molina.

By Rodney S. Yap

Designed to showcase All Star cheerleading at the highest level, Varsity hosted “The Summit 2013” over weekend in Orlando, Fla., where 462 of the best cheer teams from across the country battled in 42 divisions before a live television audience.

The 50th state’s best cheer club — the Hawaii All-Stars from Kahului — and arguably the best squad in their respective divisions in the Western Region, capped an undefeated season with a remarkable second- and third-place finish Sunday, May 5, in the Small Senior Level 4 and the Small Junior Level 2 divisions.

“Both teams did amazing,” said Molina late last night after getting off a ride at Walt Disney World Park. “You couldn’t ask for anything more when you look back on the whole season, and for them to pull out awesome routines when they had to, I couldn’t be more proud.”

The Summit is the new definitive all-levels national championship for cheerleaders. Varsity has been planning the two-day event for four years, offering 107 paid bids and 355 at-large bids to teams who won or finished strong in 27 other spring tournaments.

“For the 2013 season, Varsity All Star is committed to producing an innovative, prestigious, competitive and unforgettable end-of-the-year all-levels experience,” a Varsity official said on the company web site.

Molina said other than an untied shoelace, which caused someone to trip and suffer a one-point deduction, both squads were nearly perfect.

The Hawaii All-Star Cheerleaders finished second Sunday in the Small Senior Level 4 Division. Photo by Kealii Molina.

“It’s crazy because these are the top teams, only the best of the best are here. I think we did a good job of representing Hawaii and representing Maui for the first time competing on a stag this big. I’m pretty sure that this is the highest finish for an All-Star team from Hawaii.

“A lot of the teams competing here have been competing at the highest level for a long time. And for us to be such a young program (second year) is pretty awesome. I couldn’t be happier with how the season went. We had an undefeated season up until now. And now, this seems surreal we’re second and third best in the country.”

Hawaii All-Star Cheerleaders head coach Kealii Molina. File photo by Ben Jaun.

In all, 21 teams competed in the Level 2 Small Junior Division, but only 10 made it to the finals. Hawaii All-Stars finished third with 96.64 points. Texas Power Athletics-Gold was second with 96.84, behind champion Cheer Express All-Stars Junor Red with 97.27.

Members of the Level 2 Junior team are: Mishalei Coloma Mariano, Chloe Lawrence, Asia Flores, Sheryl Lapid Fitzsimmons, Chelsea Sarmiento, Khelsea Sarmiento, Lindsey Saludares, Chyanne Barretto, Makenna Sumbicay, Lea Kashiwamura, Makayla Alexander, Kaella Yasui, Lily Katz, Roxan Alforque, Clouie Saluacup, Jurnie Kawai, Lydel Salvador, Shae-La Fernandez.

Hawaii All-Stars Small Junior Level 2 finished third in the nation at The Summit cheer competition in Orlando, Fla. Photo by Hawaii All-Stars.

“Being from Maui a lot of them don’t realize that they are the best. You guys are, don’t count yourself out. Just to be in the competition you have to be the best, you have to be a champion and then be invited.”

Members of the Small Senior Level  4 division are: Krysta Freitas,Chalysse Young U’u, Breeann Joaquin, Kealani Castro, and Kimber Kauhaahaa Sulsi, Ashley Tanga, Caitlin Villarosa, Ashlee Sawai, Jayna “Kalei” Kamalii, Tatiana Thompson, Elysse Phillips, Aileen Rodriguez, Mariah Constantino, Sierra Ignacio, Kauanoe Keahi, Kayla Sniffen, Maikela Takamiya, and Kennedy Casco.

Since returning to Maui and starting Hawaii All-Star Cheer three years ago, Molina has produced back-to-back Maui Interscholastic League Cheerleading Champions (2012-2013) at Kamehameha Schools Maui where he is the head coach.

Over that time span, prior to competing in the invitation-only Summit 4,664 miles away from its Kahului-based gym, Hawaii All-Star Cheer has earned 12 National Championships and  3 National Championship Runner-up finishes in 15 major competitions.

Hawaii All-Star Cheer will have its Season 3 Placement, May 20-24, at its gym on 180 Wakea Ave., in Kahului. The registration fee is $50. All Juniors 9-13 (4 to 6 p.m.) and Seniors 14-18 (6:30 to 9 p.m.) are eligible. Tryouts for returning cheerleaders will be held May 13-17.

HAWAII ALL-STAR CHEERLEADERS

The Summit 2013 National All Star Cheer Championships

(Exclusive Invitational: Paid Bids & At-Large Bids Only)

Orlando, Fla., Walt Disney World Resort, May3-5

2nd — Senior Level 4

3rd — Junior Level 2

2013 Aloha Spirit International Championships

Honolulu, Waikiki Shell, March 29-30

(Overall Grand Champion)

1st — Senior Level 4

1st — Senior Level 3

1st — Junior Level 2 (Grand Champion)

1st — Junior Level 1

2013 United Spirit Association All Star Championships

Anaheim, Calif. / Anaheim Convention Center/ / March 22-24

1st — Senior Level 4 (*Paid Bid to The Summit)

1st — Senior Coed Level 3

1st — Junior Level 2 (Grand Champion; *Paid Bid to The Summit))

2013 JAMFest Cheer Nationals

Long Beach, Calif. / March 16-17

1st — Senior Level 4

1st — Senior Coed Level 3 (Best Choreography)

2012 United Spirit Association All Star Championships

Anaheim, Calif. / Anaheim Convention Center/ / March 2012

1st — Senior Level 4 (Best Choreography)

2nd — Senior Level 3

2012 Aloha Spirit International Championships

Honolulu, Waikiki Shell / April, 2012

1st — Senior Level 4

1st — Senior Level 3 (Grand Champion)

2nd — Junior Level 2

2011 Aloha Spirit International Championships

Honolulu, Waikiki Shell / April, 2011

2nd — Senior Level 3