CHAMPIONS - The Division 4 Waseca Novas won the national championship this past summer. Front row, kneeling left to right, Sophia Berg, Paislee Kwasniewski. Second row, Kinley Morrissey, Coach Michelle Berg, Aurora Malterer, Madelyn Holling, Elly Schroeder. Third row, Kendyl Priebe, Kiera Holmgren, Brynlee Spies, Ashlynn Nowacki, Cadence Britton, Coach Ashley Robbins
Champion Force cheerleaders triumph
Thu, 08/21/2025 - 12:30am
About 45 young Waseca area cheerleaders won national-level titles this past summer through the “Champion Force” program.
According to coach Ashley Robbins, Champion Force has been active in Waseca–and the whole state of Minnesota–since 2020.The Waseca program features five “divisions.” Division 1 includes athletes aged 4 through 6; Division 2 is for seven- and eight-year-olds. Those aged 9 and above are in Division 3. Participants 7 and older who wish may also try out for Divisions 4 and 5.4.
Divisions 3, 4 and 5.4 attended the national tournament in Ohio in July after learning early in the year they had earned the needed number of points to take part, including scoring well enough at state competition last fall.
“They were excited, stressed, nervous and jittery,” describes Robbins. “Anyone would be.” She attributes the feelings to anticipation, though, rather than worry. “They love going up on stage and showing off what they’ve learned. They’re really proud of what they’ve accomplished.
“And they should be.
“They’ve worked hard and they do their best.”
The competition, she explains, consists of performing a 2.5 minute routine to music. The routines include synchronized movements and a wide variety of tumbling and gymnastics moves along with lifts and “flying”--controlled drops from the hands or shoulders of other athletes.
“This is genuinely hard work,” comments Robbins. “It takes strength and coordination.”
Tumbling coach Michelle Feeley explains she incorporates elements of humor and even silliness as she works with participants to build their strength, stamina, and coordination. She divides them into teams for lighthearted competition, she explains, to help them build a team approach, and to recognize how much they rely on each other.
Sarah Kwasniewski brings her now 9-year-old daughter Paislee to Champion Force “because she loves it!” Paislee is in her fourth year. Sarah says she loves the interaction with other participants, and appreciates the chance to use her gymnastics skills.
Rebecca Hanson brings her daughter Adelynn, 11. Rebecca says she signed Adelynn up at age 5, and was glad to learn there was a program for someone so young. She says Adelynn enjoys the social interaction and shared tasks which make use of dance, stunting and cheerleading moves. “She really loves the coaches,” Rebecca adds.
Both moms remember being on the sidelines during the Waseca performances at Nationals focusing on safety: “Don’t fall. Don’t fall. Don’t fall.”
Robbins remembers the energy, excitement and team commitment she saw. “I knew it was going to go well,” she recalls. “The girls were ready, and they had done their absolute best to learn the routines well.”
Waseca teams that competed at the national level included the Division 4 “Waseca Novas,” who took the championship of their level. Team members are Sophia Berg, Paislee Kwasniewski, Kinley Morrissey, Aurora Malterer, Madelyn Holling, Elly Schroeder, Kendyl Priebe, Kiera Holmgreb, Brynlee Spies, Ashlynn Nowacki, and Cadence Britton.
The “Waseca Glitz” Division 3 team, which took second place, included Kylie Handshoe, Mylee Bubak, Regina Yezdi, Arianna Brown, Elaina Berg, Kenzie Connors, Zoe Clement, Angel Bice, Rylee Kaiser, Elora Grannis, Emily Roeker, Kylie Lando, Brynlee Spies, Sarah Tegmeier, Kinley Grotberg, Cordelia Pearce, Kendyl Priebe, and Ada Prehn.
Also taking second place in their competitive group were the Division 5.4 “Next Level Elite” team members. They include Sophia Berg, Paislee Robbins, Paislee Kwasniewski, Emily Harguth, Angelica Hernandez, Jordyn Hinna, Hadley Rodriguez, Addison Schmitz, Isabel Berg, Taelyn Nowak, Kenzie Morrissey, Presley Holling, Lorelai Russell, Adelynn Hanson, and Amelia Ellis.