DOUGLAS, GA (WALB) - Georgia Xtreme All Stars in Douglas has grown from just 20 athletes to more than 80 in recent years.

Head Coach Morgan Carelock says the program offers both competitive and non-competitive classes to keep kids involved, whether they’re trained cheerleaders or just getting started.

“I do believe it really helps with your kids’ attitude, their responsibility, how they carry themselves,” Carelock said. “The grace of losing, the grace of winning, because it hurts to lose, but we lose in life all the time.”

Parents say they’ve seen their children transform through the program. Kaleah Fletcher has two kids enrolled. She says while her son quickly jumped in, it was her daughter who came out of her shell.

“My oldest never went in anywhere. It was home or school, that was it,” Fletcher said. “We wanted her to find herself and to do that, she had to be around other people. She went from that quiet little girl to that rambunctious, excited child who found her inner ego.”

Athletes say being part of the program helps them trade screen time for team involvement.

“You get to do other things than be at home sitting on your phone watching TikTok,” said Skylar Reed. “Social media is very bad for you. So it’s better to come out and do sports.”

“On weekends, we’re always at a competition or extra practices,” said Aven Guess. “It keeps us out of the house and out of places where friends might be doing something we shouldn’t be doing.”

Carelock says the impact of cheerleading goes beyond the sport itself.

From friendship to leadership, parents and organizers say Georgia Xtreme is proving that in Douglas this summer it’s more than just cheer.

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