LIFT… Sarah Phillips vice captain of Jets and LS McClain from the Texas state cheer coach & USA Power Lifting Champion
A SPECIAL guest of Jets Cheerleading this week was a choreographer with a difference.
From Texas State University came LS McClain – a renowned choreographer, but also a world champion bench presser.
And, while Fermanagh’s cheerleaders may not have any boys taking part – the American may just help to turn that stereotype around.
“I had the greatest time I’ve ever had on any international trip I have ever been on in Enniskillen,” explained LS, who was helping choreograph the cheerleaders for a competition.
“I was able to visit countless places while on my visit. I was taken on a boat ride to visit various sites and islands on the lake, taken to visit castles, taken to Belfast to visit the Titanic site and the Game of thrones set, and even taken through Dublin to visits some famous landmarks there.”
Jets Cheerleading coach Sarah Tierney explained that LS was here to help choreograph the cheerleaders for upcoming competitions – and did hope that having LS here could help dispel any myths that cheerleading is just for girls.
“We have no boys here at the minute. But forget what you think you know about cheerleading, pom-poms, and that – it’s an athletic ability. When you see it you realise it is quite a test and a real challenge for guys when they get involved.”
While here, it wasn’t just cheerleading for LS, he did manage to get a bit of bench pressing in, giving him a chance to prepare for upcoming competitions.
“I was able to get in five training sessions while in Enniskillen at both a private gym and at BodyWorks – so special thanks to everyone who allowed me to train. On August 23 I’ll be heading to bench press nationals to compete for the US national championship in the bench press for the 93kg division.
“A bit later in October I have been invited to bench at a fitness expo in Alaska and there’s a possibility that I may travel to Australia to compete I’m a full meet at their powerlifting Commonwealth Games.”
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