The Manual Dazzlers have recently been selected to represent the United States at the 2022 Junior International Cheer Union (ICU) World Championships, as the Hip Hop team. The competition will take place April 20-22 in Orlando, FL, at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. 

“It is a huge honor to get to represent not only our school, but the state of KY and most importantly, the United States at the international level,” head coach Kirstie Adanick said.

“I am extremely honored and grateful to be on the U.S. National Junior Hip Hop team. For the ICU Worlds I am extremely excited to watch people from different countries dance and be able to represent the U.S. at such a big event,” Ava LaRocco (11, YPAS) said.

  “It is such an honor for my team and I to have been chosen for something like this! We have worked so incredibly hard to get to where we are and this is going to be such an amazing experience for all of us! It is so exciting!” Kaitlyn Meiman (11, YPAS) said.

2021 saw Japan go home with eight total medals, the most of any country there. However, it was the U.S. that stepped away with the most gold, totaling six out of the seven medals they won. Around 116 nations hold membership with the ICU, and while not all of them may be present at the Championship, it’s safe to say that our Dazzlers will be going up against a variety of diverse competition.