United Elite Cheer made waves in the competitive cheerleading world with their extraordinary achievements this year, crowning champions across six teams at this year’s Summit Championships. Located in Rockwall, Texas, within the R.I.S.W. complex, United Elite’s cheerleading and gymnastics program boast state-of-the-art facilities that reflect their commitment to excellence. This year’s sweep at the The Summit marked a significant milestone in their journey, showcasing the relentless dedication of their athletes and coaches.
Winning across all divisions at a year-end event is an extraordinary and nearly unheard-of achievement in the competitive cheerleading world. Such feats require a remarkable level of dedication, skill, and consistency across a program’s entire roster. This rare accomplishment underscores their dominance and sets a new benchmark in the sport, as it’s incredibly challenging for any team to maintain peak performance and precision across various levels and divisions throughout a grueling season.
United Elite has not only achieved this but has also seen three of its six teams successfully defend their titles from last year, adding a splash of dominance to their record. This level of success not only highlights the athletes’ talent and hard work but also the strategic excellence and visionary leadership of their coaches. It’s an achievement that will be remembered and revered within the cheerleading community for years to come.
United Elite’s story is one of rapid growth and a commitment to success. United Elite opened in 2008 with about 30 kids, the program has evolved into one of the most successful cheerleading programs in the world. This transformation is a testament to the gym’s focus on technique and the unwavering dedication of its athletes. Dawson Smith, Head Coach of UE Cheer, emphasizes that their training regimen, which treats youth and senior teams alike, places a premium on technique and hard work.
“We pride ourselves on technique over everything and hard work,” Dawson shared. “We hold our athletes accountable and to the highest standard on and off the mat.”
This philosophy has undoubtedly paid off. At this year’s Summit Championships, one of the pinnacle season-ending events for non-Worlds eligible All Star cheerleading teams, United Elite’s athletes delivered stellar performances that left an unforgettable mark on the cheerleading community. But what drives this program’s extraordinary success?
One of the critical elements is the gym’s culture, which fosters respect, accountability, and a strong work ethic among athletes. Parents and athletes alike are drawn to this unique environment. A parent highlighted the distinct culture at United Elite, noting that the gym’s success comes from its focus on building strong athletes who respect their coaches and each other, adhere to a strict absence policy, and engage in rigorous training and conditioning regimens.
At the heart of United Elite’s remarkable success lies an unwavering commitment to perfecting technique. This meticulous focus on technique ensures that every count, every tumbling pass, and every stunt is executed with precision, setting a high standard for performance excellence. By drilling down into the finer details and emphasizing the fundamentals, United Elite athletes build a strong foundation that enhances their overall skill level and confidence. This dedication to technique not only minimizes errors but also maximizes the impact of their performances, making routines appear seamless and effortless. The result is a consistent track record of high scores and championship titles, as judges recognize and reward the flawless execution that stems from such meticulous training. This emphasis on technique is a key factor that propels United Elite to the forefront of competitive cheerleading, demonstrating that mastering the basics is essential for achieving greatness on the mat.
“They teach kids to want the wins themselves, they own their actions and reap the rewards,” the parent shared. “The learned discipline impacts the kids’ entire lives—school, home life. Everything the entire gym family does is to support those kids.”
Carol Wigley, Program Director at UE Cheer, reflects on the incredible season and the journey of each team: “All five of my teams are coming home as Summit champions!! We’ve won 10 Summit titles in two years!! It’s incredible how far we’ve come. The passion, determination, and dedication from these kids are unmatched. They work hard and leave everything on the mat. We push each athlete beyond their limits and expect perfection from them most of the time. They are changing the cheerleading industry and setting new standards.”
