TYLER, Texas (KLTV) – One East Texas athlete is really pushing the needle when it comes to the world of cheer- and will be competing for the title of champion for the “Future Flyer Face Off” in a few short months.
Journi Flesher is an 11-year-old cheerleader from Kilgore.
“I started when I was two,” Journi said.
Over the last several months Journi and her partner Aaron Dotson have been training and competing to qualify for the championship in Dallas.
“We learn a partner stunting routine and then we compete it,” Journi said.
This competition is modeled after the partner stunt portion in college cheer competitions and gives younger athletes a chance to showcase skills they normally don’t get to show off.
“A lot of the skills that we compete at the future flyer competition are illegal in college just because they are honestly dangerous skills. Like you can get hurt, so it’s a risk that we take to do the skills that we do but it’s also a reward getting to showcase those skills and give the crowd the wow factor,” Dotson said.
Athletes travel from all over the country to compete in these competitions to qualify for the championship. To get a bid, you must place in the top four at any competition.
So far, Journi has secured her bid and placed 3rd, 4th, and first place grand champion. Journi’s mom, Sunny Flesher says she has worked hard for this opportunity.
“The little girls that watch her, like they are in awe of her. I tell her that’s awesome that they get to look up to you because they don’t get to see that. We have competitive cheer here, but they don’t get to stunt like they stunt,” Sunny said.
Dotson says their partnership just works.
“Me and Journi, we have two opposite personalities, like I’m super loud, crazy, outgoing, she’s a bit to herself but she’s also super hardworking and so am I so I tell her to do something, she does it and we figure out what we need to to make it hit,” Dotson said.
They compete in their final competition before the championship in two weeks.
“I’m excited and nervous and ready to compete again,” Journi said.
The national championship will take place in August. Journi plans on training and trying out for Team USA next year.
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Source: East Texas athlete set to compete in National cheerleading competition
