There are some that claim cheerleading is not a sport, but after watching the girls at Infinity Athletics you might just change your mind. The fact is, cheerleading was just voted a sport by the SportAccord, and the skills, determination, and abilities the young competitors display leaves no doubt. The teams, which combine cheerleading and gymnastics, have seen their achievements, recognition, and awards grow each year.
"We teach cheerleading instruction and have award-winning all-star teams that travel regionally to compete at various competitions," Infinity’s Jennifer Sykes told the Review. "We’ve received first place at numerous competitions, and grand champions at one competition so far, where you win the highest score over everyone in your entire division, regardless of age. This year, we have won three second place, and one third place."
Over the weekend, Infinity Athletics’ Stunners finished out the season with a second place win at the Jamfest Nationals in Gatlinburg.  At the two-day event the girls competed once on Saturday, and again on Sunday, with each performance counting for 50 percent of their final score. 
At the end of day one, the Stunners lead the division in first place out of eight teams, even after a bobble cost them a .50 deduction.  "We had a couple of mistakes made on day two which cost 2.5 points in deductions," Coach Sykes said.  "These errors caused us to slip on the score sheet to second place. This has happened to us a lot this season."
"We have lost first place at five competitions due to deductions. However these mistakes are common when you move up a division and age group from the year before and take on so many new athletes.  It's a learning process just like everything else in life, which is what we try to drive home at the end of the day.  The lessons these girls are learning are life lessons ... ones they will hopefully learn from so when adversity comes their way, they will remember how to do their best and never give up."
"Never give yourself limits," Sykes continued. "That you can, in fact,  do all things through Christ, who gives you strength, which is the Bible verse the gym was named after.  The girls were very green this season, so they will only get better and mature with time,  practice and experience. These girls have worked so hard through many hardships and have persevered through to the end."
According to Sykes, the team that went to Gatlinburg was the junior age group, 14 and under, and a level-2 team. In all-stars, the divisions go all the way up to level-6, ranging from age 18 and under. This year Infinity had three teams, a tiny division, which was ages five and under, a youth division, which is ages 11 and under, and a junior division which is age 14 and under.
"As far as the all-stars are involved, we practice two days a week for two and a half hours." Sykes said. "They work on a routine that involves a lot of stunts, a lot of tumbling and different transitions that have to be done a very specific way. We do it over and over again until we get it perfect."
Sykes said that Infinity’s other two teams, the Strikers and the Storm, finished the season earlier.  "These teams were such a joy to coach and held their own during the season as well. We as coaches couldn't be prouder of them and can't wait to see what next season holds."
Sykes said that Infinity also teaches regular classes where the class times are generally 45 – 55 minutes long, depending on the age, and the class size varies depending on the age. In those classes, they teach everything from a forward roll to aerial skills with no hands.
"If they want to be involved in a class, all they have to do is go to our web site, fill out a registration form and send it in, or they can call or come in. If we have an opening we’ll get them in, if we don’t have an opening we’ll put them on a waiting list and as soon as an opening comes available we’ll give them a call. If anyone wants to be involved in the all-stars, there are some skill requirements. This year we are looking for a certain skill and age group."
Infinity will be holding tryouts for the upcoming season that start in Oct. and run through April. Tryouts are April 24 – 26, for ages four to 18, for three to four teams depending on age, skill level, and other factors. For more information call the gym at (615) 215-9050, like their Facebook page, or visit their web site at www.infinityathletics.com. Infinity is located off Highway 70 at 690 Old Snow Hill Road, right across from DeKalb Market.