More than 100 students from Atlantic City Public Schools participated in the annual Elementary Sports Cheerleading Ultimate Showdown and Champion's March competition on Saturday, March 2, at the Atlantic City High School gymnasium.

The New York Avenue School Knights won the Champion’s March portion of the battle.

The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. School Complex Tigers won the ultimate showdown.

“Although it is a competition, the goal of our youth sports program is to introduce our student athletes to trying new things,” said Elementary Sports Teacher Coordinator Jason A. Lantz. “What students get from it is development in character, comradery among their peers, and work ethic.”

The cheerleading showdown also showcased squads from seven elementary schools, performing routines that included stunts, tumbling, jumps, and dance. 

The squads were judged by a panel of former cheerleaders, coaches, and dance instructors from the area based on criteria such as technique, creativity, synchronization, and spirit.

The action began at noon on a rainy Saturday morning with Part I, the Champion’s March. The fun continued in the packed gymnasium with the Cheerleading Ultimate Showdown. The Atlantic City High School cheerleaders performed an exhibition to show the young ladies how it should be done and stayed close by to lend their support to any team that needed it.

The results of the Champions March competition were:

1^st Place New York Avenue School

The Rankings were:

1. New York Avenue School
2. Pennsylvania Avenue School
3. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. School Complex
4. Richmond Avenue School
5. Uptown School Complex
6. Sovereign Avenue School
7. Texas Avenue School

The winners of the Cheerleading Showdown were:

1^st Place Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. School Complex

The Rankings were:

The event was organized by the Atlantic City Board of Education Coordinator Sherri Hicks with support from district staff and volunteers. The event aimed to promote physical activity, sportsmanship, and teamwork among elementary students, as well as to foster a sense of community and pride in Atlantic City. The winners received trophies and medals, while all the participants received certificates and ribbons. The event also featured music, entertainment, and raffle prizes for the students and their families. The Atlantic City Board of Education congratulated all the participants and thanked the sponsors, volunteers, and staff for making the event a success. 

Before the Cheerleading Ultimate Showdown and the Champion's March competition, the district held qualifying round-robin basketball games to determine seeding for the elementary boys' basketball tournament scheduled for Saturday, March 16, 2024. The basketball tournament will feature combined fifth and sixth grade boys’ teams from the district’s elementary schools. 

1. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. School Complex
2. Richmond Avenue School
3. Uptown School Complex
4. New York Avenue School
5. Texas Avenue School
6. Sovereign Avenue School
7. Chelsea Heights School

To view a photo gallery from the Champion's March and Cheerleading Ultimate Showdown, click here.