The Port Albernia fan recently had the opportunity to perform on the international stage.
Port Alberni-raised Maria Banman was part of the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack cheerleading squad that traveled to the 2023 World Collegiate Cheerleading Championships held in Orlando, Fla., Jan. 13-15.
The weeks leading up to the event were “very nervous,” Banman said.
“It was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had in my life,” Banman said. “It was so much fun because it was full of people working for the same thing.”
The team placed third in the world in the Game Day category and fourth in the Premier All-Girl category. The Premier category involves more stunting, Banman explained, while the Game Day category is more “traditional” cheering. It’s all about getting the crowd going with song, pompoms and dance.
WolfPack co-coach Heather Crawford said it was an “amazing” experience to lead the team to the World Championships. Although TRU’s cheerleading squad is still a fairly young program, they competed in the 2020 event and were eligible to compete in 2021 (although the event was canceled due to COVID-19).
“Each athlete put their heart and soul into training leading up to this competition and it paid off,” Crawford said. “I’ve always been proud of this program, but seeing what the athletes have accomplished on that mat will stay with me forever. This cheerleading program has grown exponentially since I was an athlete and I am honored to continue to be a part of this program as a coach.”
Banman is in his first year of university at TRU. She is currently studying sociology, although she hopes to eventually enroll in the school’s law program. When she was applying to the school, Banman said the cheerleading squad was what made her look at TRU as an option.
“I liked that the cheerleading squad was always posting on social media so I could follow what they were doing,” she said.
During her high school career, Banman was on the Alberni District Secondary School (ADSS) cheerleading squad, which taught her the basics of cheerleading. In 12th grade, she was named one of the team captains.
“It made me look at cheerleading from a different angle,” she said. “It helped me change the way I listen and talk to others. My coaches at ADSS definitely helped me get to where I am today.”
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Does Port Alberni have snow?
The snowy period of the year lasts for 4.0 months, from November 11 to March 12, with a rolling 31-day snowfall of at least 1. To see also : Decatur cheerleaders travel thousands of miles for Thanksgiving festivities.0 inches. The snowiest month in Port Alberni, B.C. is December, with an average snowfall of 4.5 inches.
What are the winters like in Port Alberni? The cool season lasts for 3.4 months, from November 12 to February 24, with an average daily high temperature below 47 °F. The coldest month of the year in Port Alberni, B.C., is December, with an average low of 33°F and high of 40°F.
Does it rain a lot in Port Alberni? Port Alberni averages about 170mm of rain each month. Of course, this number decreases significantly in the summer months, but increases in the winter. The average amount of rainfall in July is about 31 mm, while the rainy April is about 140 mm.
What is it like to live in Port Alberni? For a small city of about 25,000 people, Port Alberni offers a rich community. Port Alberni is a popular city for retirees due to its warm climate, outdoor recreation and low cost of living.
What is there to do in Port Alberni in the winter?
Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in the local mountains is always a real adventure. See TrailPeak or Valley of Trails for more information. Read also : The offense is positioned to ‘grow together’ and ‘achieve great things’. Day trips or even overnight trips to the alpine resort of Mt. Washington for tubing and skiing after dark are always exciting!
What to do on Vancouver Island in winter? ENJOY THIS ARTICLE?
- Relax and recharge at Kingfisher Oceanside Resort And Spa. …
- Explore the underworld of Horne Lake Provincial Park and Caves. …
- Go storm watching in Tofino. …
- Learn to surf.
Is Port Alberni worth a visit? Port Alberni is a city in British Columbia, Canada. It has many popular attractions, including Stamp River Provincial Park, Twin City Brewing and Alberni Harbor Quay, making it well worth a visit.