Sidelines Sports Academy Scholarship Recipients

Twelve cheerleaders and gymnasts from Sidelines Sports Academy in Trussville were accepted to college cheerleading squads, and eight of them were from St. Clair County. Ten of the students attended a scholarship signing on May 13.

Shane Sharpe, co-owner of Sidelines Sports Academy, said there was a good mix of graduating seniors who received scholarships. He said there were hardly any other gyms that had as many gymnasts who received scholarships as Sidelines.

“There are more scholarships given for gymnastics than any other sport, other than football,” Sharpe said.

He said these cheerleaders and gymnasts were on a different level and were mentally ready to enter the college environment.

Of the students, Chase Alvis, Kristin Garrett, Raven Gregg, Christina Martin, Jeromy Shaw and Kyle Strueker went to high school in Odenville. Cory Eskew graduated from Springville, and Josh Owen graduated from Moody.

Alvis, child of Barri and Ron Galbreath, will attend the University of West Alabama.

“I’m ready and excited to get it started,” Alvis said.

Garrett will join three of the other athletes from Sidelines at the University of Alabama in Birmingham. She echoed Alvis’ excitement about heading to college.

Gregg, who will attend Shelton State, said she thought being a part of college athletics would be awesome. But in her case, cheerleading was more than just a sport.

“Getting a scholarship was the only way I was going to get to go to college,” said Gregg, who received full tuition.

Martin, child of Dean and Robbie Martin, will attend UWA. She graduated in 2008 and currently attends a community college.

“It will be different, but it will be a good different,” Martin said about attending a bigger college. “I’ve done this (cheerleading) my whole life.”

Owen, child of Fran and Ken Owen, was a quarterback on the Moody football team before becoming a cheerleader.

“I just enjoyed doing stuff on the trampoline,” Owen said about how he switched from the football field to the gym. “They taught me everything.”

Shaw, child of Napolean and Michelle Shaw, said he was very excited about going to UWA and becoming a part of their 16-member squad.

Strueker, child of Scott Strueker and Linda Brantely, will attend UAB. He said although being on a college squad would probably be challenging, he was still excited about this opportunity.

David Gilliland, spirit and cheer coach at UAB, and Audrey Crawford, cheer coach at the University of West Alabama, were present at the signing. Crawford said she looked for well-rounded people who had a little bit of everything. She came to the signing to welcome three of the students to the university.

Travis Baker, who was accepted to the University of Alabama; Kevin Dunnavant, who was accepted to Shorter College; and Eskew, who also was accepted to Shorter College, were not in attendance.