Alexandria's Hot Topic All Stars swept first place in their respective divisions at the Battle of the Capital cheerleading competition held March 11-13 at the Gaylord Hotel at National Harbor.
"This was one of the biggest competitions in the history of Hot Topic All Stars," said director Brenda Holloway. "The girls were really excited to attend such a prestigious competition and for all our teams to win first place and receive jackets made this the best weekend ever for everyone, including our parents."
The Shooting Stars team (6-8 years old) took first place in Mini Level 1, Rising Stars (11 and under) placed first in Youth Level 1 and Super Stars (18 and under) placed first in Senior Level 2. The Shooting Stars and Super Stars teams also won their second bid to participate in the U.S. Finals scheduled for May 7-8 at the Washington Convention Center.
"Our girls received a lot of rave reviews from cheerleaders, parents and coaches from other programs," Holloway said. "They truly let their talent shine on the mat this weekend and all their hard work paid off."
For more information on the Hot Topic All Stars program or to donate to the non-profit, contact director Brenda Holloway at Brenda.holloway@hottopicallstars.com or visit www.hottopicallstars.com. Donations will assist families in need of financial assistance and help provide college scholarships, and will also help purchase new gymnastic equipment and a spring competition floor.
— Jeanne Theismann
<b>Youth Coaches Needed</b>
The Alexandria Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities is currently seeking volunteers to coach youth baseball, softball, field hockey, swimming, track and field, Rugby, summer basketball and football. Criminal history background checks are required. Interested persons should call the sports office at 703-746-5402 or e-mail mac.slover@alexandriava.gov or Tamika.coleman@alexandriava.gov.
<b>Wahoos Swim Team Registration</b>
The Wahoos swim program offers youth ages 6-18 of all abilities the opportunity to develop their own unique potential. The program will promote individual achievement and team camaraderie in an atmosphere of friendly competition. Developing and experienced swimmers alike can refine their freestyle, breaststroke, backstroke, butterfly, turns and starts with an experienced coaching staff. Swim meets are scheduled every Saturday morning from mid-June through early August. There will be a parents meeting and the first team practice on May 31 at the Chinquapin Park Recreation Center. Swimmers must be able to swim 25 meters continuously. Registration will take place through May 27. For more information, call the Sports Office at 703-746-5402 or go on the Recreation Department's Web site at www.alexandriava.gov/recreation.
<b>Hershey’s Track and Field Youth Program</b>
The Hershey's Track and Field Program is a city-wide track meet where winners can advance through district, regional, state and national competitions. Participants can register at any City Recreation Center. The local meet will be held at 9:30 a.m. on May 21 at T.C. Williams High School. Youth can compete in the 50-, 100-, 200-, and 400-meter dash; 800- and 1600-meter run, 4x100 relay, softball throw and standing long jump. Note: 7-8-year-olds will not advance beyond the city-wide event. Registration period is from March 15-May 1. The Hershey's Track and Field Program is open for City of Alexandria residents only. Participants can participate in the following events depending on their age group (age as of Dec. 31, 2011).
Boys and girls ages 7-8 can participate in the 50-meter dash, standing long jump and the softball throw only. This age group will not advance to the district or state meet.
Boys and girls ages 9-12 can participate in one field event and two running events and the relay; or two field events and one running event and the relay for a total of four events. Since ages 9-12 (4x100 relay) will not advance to the North American Final, those age groups will be allowed to participate in a relay as an extra event at the local, district and or state meet. First and second place winners in this age group will advance to the district track meet to be held in June in Fauquier County.
Boys and girls ages 13-14 can participate in one field event and two running events; or two field events and one running event. Relays are considered running events for this age group. First and second place winners in this age group will advance to the district track meet that will be held on June 5 in Fauquier County.
For more information, call the Sports Office at 703-746-5402 or go on the Recreation Department's web site at www.alexandriava.gov/recreation.
<b>Youth Rugby Program Registration</b>
The Alexandria Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural; Recreation Services Division is now accepting registration for non-contact and tackle rugby through May 31. This program is designed to incorporate the basic rugby skills of running, passing, team support and decision making in a physically safe and non-threatening environment. Boys and girls ages 6-14 are eligible to participate and the registration fee is $30. For more information, call the Youth Sports Office at 703-746-5402 or go on the Recreation Department's Web site at www.alexandriava.gov/recreation.
<b>Alexandria Titans Youth Tackle Football</b>
The Alexandria Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities; Centers, Playgrounds and Youth Sports Division is now accepting registrations for the Alexandria Titans youth tackle football program. Teams are formed in the following weight divisions and participate in the Fairfax County Youth Football League: Anklebiters, 75 lbs, 85 lbs, 95 lbs, 110 lbs, 125 lbs, and 150 lbs. Participants will be weighed and assigned to teams according to their weight and age. This program is for participants ages 7-16. Registration fee is $30. All participants must have a Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Identification Card upon registration. The Sportsmanship and Equipment Days will be held from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on July 23 (Anklebiters and 75 lbs.), July 30 (85 lbs. and 95 lbs.) and Aug. 6 (110 lbs., 125 lbs and 150 lbs.). The Alexandria Titans Football Camp (free for Titan players only) will be held Aug. 1–4 from 6–8 p.m. at George Washington Middle School. The Alexandria Titans Youth Football Booster Club is looking for sponsorships for the 2011 season. For more information, call the Youth Sports Office at 703-746-5402 or go on the Recreation Department's Web site at www.alexandriava.gov/recreation.
<b>Girls Field Hockey Registration</b>
The Alexandria Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities' Sports Office is accepting registrations for the new Girls Summer Field Hockey Program League for girls ages 9-14. The program will be begin on June 6 and will run through the end of July at the Minnie Howard Field, 3801 West Braddock Road. The cost is $50 per participant. The deadline for registration is May 31. All girls must provide their own field hockey sticks, shin guards and mouthpieces. The girls are asked to wear athletic wear and tennis or rubber sole turf cleats. The league will run a clinic at the beginning of the program that will cover the basic fundamental techniques and skills of field hockey, including dribbling, passing, receiving, footwork, body positioning, goal scoring and goal keeping. Teams will then be formed with 8-on-8 games being played.
For more information, call the Youth Sports Office at 703-746-5402 or go on the Youth Sports web site at www.alexandriava.gov/recreation.
<b>Spring Cheerleading Invitational Competition</b>
The Alexandria Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities is hosting an Invitational Cheerleading Competition on April 9 at T.C. Williams High School beginning at 11 a.m. The competition features cheerleading teams from Charles Barrett, Charles Houston, Cora Kelly, Mount Vernon, Nannie J. Lee, Patrick Henry and William Ramsay Recreation Centers. This year’s event includes teams from around the Washington, D.C. metro area to spice up the competition and sample the talent throughout the area.
The competition features teams in three divisions: the Pee Wee, Youth and Junior divisions. This entertaining family event provides these cheerleading teams the occasion to display their enthusiasm for their sport and the skills they have developed through regular practice and hard work.
Tickets will be on sale in advance of the Invitational at the neighborhood Recreation Centers as well as at the Lee Center Recreation Services Division Office through 5 p.m., April 7. Advance adult tickets for ages 13 years and older are $5; youth tickets for 6-12 years are $2, and youth 5 years and under are free. Tickets will be sold at the door for $6 for adults and $3 for children. For more information on the cheerleading program and other youth sports programs, call the Youth Sports Office at 703-746-5402.