By Sue Teggart
C & G Sports Writer

They did it again.

The Roseville, Warren and Eastpointe All-Star and Elite Young Champions cheerleading teams are going back to the national cheerleading championship July 26 in St. Louis.

The cheerleaders — girls ages 7-18 who reside throughout Macomb County — became two-time state champions June 8, when they earned their ticket back to the Young Champions Cheerleading Nationals.

“It’s very exciting because we never expect it,” Roseville Young Champions coach Jessica Setlak said of the program’s success. “We just want to go out there and have a good time.”

For Setlak, what sets the Young Champions squads apart is simple — fun.

“They’re there to work hard and to learn, but we always have a lot of fun,” Setlak said about her teams.

“We always make sure the girls are interested because sometimes competitive sports get too competitive. We always just try to have a good time so that we can make these trips fun for them.”

What makes the program excel year after year is the constant support Setlak receives from parents.

“A lot of our parents are so helpful,” Setlak said. “From car washes to team bonding things that we do, having everyone involved and having a good time makes it so successful.”

To ensure all the parents and families will be at nationals, the squad has begun a fundraising campaign to help pay for their trips.

The Young Champions of Roseville are holding an all-night cheer-a-thon, where they will be asking friends and neighbors for pledges before they cheer all night at Pump It Up in St. Clair Shores.

“That’s our biggest fundraiser right now,” Setlak said of the cheer-a-thon. “We take (the cheerleaders) to Pump It Up, and they cheer. It’s just a fun time.”

As the squads set their sights on nationals, what makes getting back to the championship even more special is that it allows them to gain experience that will enrich the local Young Champions programs.

“To compete at a national level, sometimes you don’t get to do that even when you’re in high school or college,” Setlak said. “It’s a really good opportunity for them to perform in front of people and to be on a team.”

You can reach Sports Writer Sue Teggart at steggart@candgnews.com or at (586) 279-1107.