Whiz Kid: Shelby Huntington

For sixteen year old Shelby Huntington, cheerleading isn’t a sport, it’s a lifestyle.

Huntington has dedicated the past ten years to elevating her skill set in the sport of cheerleading. She started her cheer career as a participant in the New London youth league. But it wasn’t until Huntington made the move to Waterford that her career really took off. 

Huntington has climbed the ranks from youth league cheerleading up to the advanced all-star level at the East Celebrity Elite gym in Waterford. In the past five years, Huntington has competed on ten different teams at the all-star level. 

During her time as a cheerleader, Huntington has competed in approximately 75 competitions. Last year, Celebrity’s senior small 2, Glamour, and senior small 3, Superstars, won the Universal Cheerleaders Association’s (UCA) competition. UCA is a highly esteemed national organization whose competitions are held in Florida and featured on ESPN each year.

In addition to competing at the all-star level, Huntington also cheers for Waterford High School. During her freshmen year, the WHS team took first place in their division at the ECC, state and New England levels. 

While reflecting on her experiences cheering for both WHS and Celebrity, Huntington noted that although the all-star level requires more intensity, it is equally as difficult cheering for athletic events. 

“We have to do all of the physical elements but be loud and yell at the same time. [WHS] requires more spirit, it’s easy to get out of breath,” she said. 

According to ABC news, cheerleading is the most dangerous sport for young girls. Due to stunts that involve throwing girls as high as 16 feet in the air and high intensity tumbling, injuries tend to be more serious. In 2008, the Consumer Product Safety Commission reported that more than 30,000 emergency room visits were due to cheerleading accidents.

Huntington’s mom, Debbie, said danger comes from not having proper training. Throughout her career, Huntington has fractured her finger, dislocated her elbow and had meniscus surgery to mend an injured knee. But her mom said none of these injuries occurred because the sport is dangerous, but because she performed differently than instructed.

Huntington acts as a base during team stunts. While participating in the New England Cheerleader Association’s camp this past weekend, she was able to try out her ability as a back spot. Huntington said she was very confident in this new position. 

Future cheer goals include becoming the captain of the high school squad and mastering more difficult tumbling. “I want to make a layout,” she said.

Cheerleading is a huge part of the Huntington family. The eldest sister has cheered at the collegiate level as a member of Central Connecticut State University’s team. Debbie Huntington is equally as involved in cheerleading as her daughters. She serves as coach for New London High School, vice president of the New London youth league and booster club president for East Celebrity Elite.