Sask. cheerleaders flip to the top at Ice Breaker competition in Regina

For today's new generations of cheerleaders, it's not their grandmothers' pom-poms anymore.

Cheerleaders from across Saskatchewan gathered for the intense Ice Breaker cheerleading competition on Saturday at the Conexus Arts Centre in Regina.

Teams came out stunting and throwing each other in a sport that has changed a lot from years prior, according to 17-year-old Junelle Knihniski with Saskatoon's Marion Graham Collegiate cheer team.

"We don't go to many football games and cheer. We have pom-poms but we don't cheer with them. We just lift people, throw people, dance," she said.

Knihniski said she's been on the team for three years and loves the sport, despite the challenge of competitions.

"You walk in there are there's so many lights and so many judges, and it's really nerve-wracking," she said. "But it's definitely one of the funest competitions."

Christine Quale, 17, is also on the team. It's her first year, but she already loves it.

"I love being on the cheer team, because it's really awesome to be with a group of people who are passionate about something, and just having that team-building, being able to do something all together. It's just really awesome," she said.

For her, she said the competition more excitement than nerves.

"I feel like it's a different kind of excitement, because it's a team. It's not just you going out there. You're part of a whole team, and everyone needs to do their part," she said.

The awards ceremony takes place at 7 p.m. CST on Saturday.