ELMIRA, N.Y. (WENY) -- The Empire Royal cheerleaders are days away from flying out to sunny Florida for a major competition. Two of the three Southern Tier teams are competing against potentially hundreds of other athletes over a two-day period.  

“They have come a long way this season. “At the beginning of the season,” said Mini’s Coach Madison Morales.”They didn't know how to stunt or do any of that stuff. So, it took a lot of work, in the beginning, to learn new things and learn the new stunts. But I think they are doing well and are in a great position to be going to this competition.”  

The minis are younger gymnasts, newer and learning cheerleading ropes and ways. Level two Juniors continue to work on their back handsprings plus: higher-level stunting skills, brace elements, and basket tosses.   

“We start preparing our routine in August, is that right,” said Junior’s Coach Kayla Chuns. “Where we learned all of our choreography and every week we come in and keep correcting those skills. And we keep upgrading those skills as much as we can within our level requirements until we have reached a level of perfection where we can score the highest that we can in our bracket.”  

During the weekend competition the teams come together as a family to get dressed, help each other with make-up and warm up for a successful show. Aside from the big showcase, the girls will participate in team bonding and remind the girls of all the effort and time they put into getting to Orlando. 

“It really is a moment for them to celebrate, but winning isn't everything, mine or [the minis,]” said Shannon Kelim, juniors coach. “If they go out there and they hit zero, which means they have a routine where nothing falls, no one falls, you know nobody omits any tumbling, you know, that is our biggest goal” 

In the end, it is not about winning gold. All the coaches want the teams to walk away making memories and celebrating their success this season.