This webpage provides a comprehensive summary of the 2023 Special Olympics North Carolina Cheerleading Tournament.
There are several links to more detailed documents. There is some new information for this year, so be sure to read through everything.
If you have questions about this information, if you need help during the event, if you get lost, if you are running late, whatever it might be – call us!
Special Olympics NC Staff:
Kyle Jaimes – 813-469-4696
Janae Carroll – 919-610-2497
Get excited! This is the first time we have held this event since 2019 and we are thrilled to welcome all the athletes back for an amazing day of competition.
Location
We have a new venue! We are very excited to be at Seaforth High School in Pittsboro!
Youth GMT
The students from Seaforth High School have stepped up to lead this event and we are so excited to give them the opportunity to create an amazing experience for you and your teams!
Seaforth High School
444 Seaforth Rd
Pittsboro, NC 27312
9:30 a.m. Opening Ceremony in main gym
10:24 a.m. Competition begins
2:00 p.m. Awards ceremonies begin in Performing Arts Center
Due to the nature of this one-day event, two check-ins are required.
Check-in #1 (opens at 8:30 a.m.):
- Upon arrival to the venue, proceed to Head of Delegation check-in.
- Only the Head of Delegation or head coach should come to the check-in area to prevent congestion.
- Confirm possession of all athlete participation forms.
- Record scratches/no-show’s.
- If the number of scratches places your team below the minimum number of athletes, your team will be able to perform, and will receive participation ribbons.
- If the number of scratches places your team in the small category, or from Unified to traditional, your team will be placed in the most appropriate division, but your check-in, practice, and performance times will not change.
- Credentials will be provided for non-competing team members. Athletes and Unified partners will not receive credentials. They must wear their uniform in order to be allowed in the warm-up and other designated team areas.
- Confirm delegation numbers.
- Receive any other competition materials or updated information.
- Proceed to main gym for Opening Ceremony.
Check-in #2 (opens at 9:44 a.m.):
- Teams are required to check-in at the warm-up gym at their designated time as indicated on the schedule.
- All jewelry, etc. must be removed at this time.
- The schedule will be strictly adhered to, and a team missing their designated warm-up time and/or performance will not be allowed to work-in unless cleared by the competition manager and SONC staff.
Saturday, March 25
9:30 a.m.
Delegations should be seated in the main gym by 9:20 a.m.
Opening Ceremony is the time where your entire delegation is recognized for its hard work leading up to this event. Please make your group look sharp by tucking in shirts and tying shoes. The entire delegation should dress similarly. Please also make sure your program’s attire is adhering to Section 5.08 of the Special Olympics General Rules for the Display of Commercial Messages at Games and Prohibition of the Display of National Flags as well as the SONC logo guidelines. If you have any questions, please contact your community resources director.
Please refer to the 2023 SONC Cheerleading Tournament performance schedule for check-in, warm-up and performance times.
Here are all cheerleading sport information, including links to rules, scoresheets and the rubric.
Mandatory Coach’s Meeting
This meeting will be held via webinar at 12:00 p.m. on March 23. Please view the meeting here. Remember, at least one representative from each local program must attend this webinar and confirm attendance. Listening to the recording does count as attendance as long as the appropriate steps are taken.
Concussions
Medical volunteers at this tournament will remove an athlete from competition if there is any chance of a concussion. The athlete will not be able to return until a doctor has examined the athlete and given clearance. As always, this has been put into place to ensure a safe competition for all athletes.
Sportsmanship
It is very important that all coaches and athletes show great sportsmanship at all times. Poor sportsmanship will not be tolerated and there will be a 25-point deduction for each infraction of poor sportsmanship by the athletes, Unified partners, coach, or associated spectators. Cheerleading is a wonderful sport promoting camaraderie and fun, and some people can be very passionate. It is important to remain calm and show good sportsmanship during these times. Team captains are a great way to provide guidance and serve as an on-field example of sportsmanship during games.
Scoresheets
About 15 minutes after your team has competed, head coaches should visit the scoring table located to the left of the performance area (near the main entrance to the gym). Head coaches will have an opportunity to ask the head judge any questions about their scoring. A copy of the cheer and music scoresheets will also be available at that time.
Awards
An explanation of the transition from competition to awards will be spoken about in detail in the coach’s meeting; however, please note that we will transition from the gym to the Performing Arts Center for awards. Teams will be awarded by division and place order in the same order in which competition was performed.
Cheerleading Competition Information
Please make sure your uniforms follow the SONC Uniform and Logo Guidelines. This is a one-day competition featuring both team and individual performances.
- There will be a total of five judges at this competition. Two judges will be judging the cheer portion of the routine, and two judges will be judging the music portion of the routine. The head judge will assess any deductions, and ensure the points are within the rubric scale.
- Remember, if your division does not allow for a certain section (i.e. non-tumble) those categories simply won’t be judged.
- After your team performs their routine, please exit upstage left (there will be a volunteer to guide you), and continue to the team routine viewing area. Teams will then be directed to either lunch or back into the gym to enjoy the rest of the performances.
- Please leave the chairs near the judges’ platform for “fan seating.” This way, spectators for the team have a front-row seat when their team performs. There will be helpful volunteers managing this section to answer any questions you may have.
- Only athletes and Unified partners are allowed on the floor during competition. Coaches are welcome to place athletes on the floor but must be out of the judges view before the routine begins.
Music for Routines
All music for team and/or individual competition must be brought on their own personal device. The DJ has all connecting cords for devices (iPhone, Android, etc.). Please email Al Ward by March 19 with your team’s name and personal device type, so he can make the necessary arrangements. Please note, that during your team’s performance, one representative must be present in the DJ booth with Al in order to pay attention to time marks. Please also remember all music must adhere to the music regulations published in the SONC Cheerleading Rules.
Medical Assistance
HODs should have copies of all athlete medical forms with them in case of an emergency or any other medical issue. Medical volunteers will be onsite and available for athlete, coach, parent, or volunteer first aid needs.
Changing Locations
Changing rooms for the teams are located in the men’s and women’s locker rooms in the hallways adjacent to the competition floor.
Concessions
Seaforth High School will be operating their concessions stand in the gymnasium. This will be open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Coming Soon!
Hotel Reminders and Facts:
- Housing confirmations will be sent out to the Heads of Delegation next week.
- All delegates should be respectful of others by remaining in their rooms after 11 p.m. each evening. Music and loud talking should not be heard outside the room from which it originates.
- All delegates should respect all facility property and regulations. Theft or intentional damage of property will not be tolerated.
SONC will provide lunch for delegations (registered athletes, coaches, chaperones, etc.). Family members are not included in these meals.
Lunch will consist of ham and turkey sandwiches, chips and fruit donated by Sheetz.
If you have requests for vegetarian or gluten-free meals, email those requests to Julianna Pratt, including the name(s) of the people needing the special lunches. A list of known dietary requests can be found here. All requests must be received by Friday, March 17 in order for arrangements to be made.
