Michaela Smith and her Ottawa-based cheerleading team, Energy, placed 20th overall in the world at the 2024 Allstar World Championship for cheerleading in Orlando, Florida. Despite not meeting their expectations, Smith described the experience as "magical," with the event held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort.

By the Numbers
  • Smith and her team finished 10th overall in Canada.
  • The team comprises 24 members and competes in the international open all-girl level five category.
Yes, But

Competitive cheerleading, as described by Smith, is widely misunderstood and is an extremely physically challenging sport.

State of Play
  • Qualifying to compete in the championship is considered a significant accomplishment, as it represents the highest level in the sport of cheerleading.
  • Smith is considering continuing her cheerleading career despite initially planning on retiring in 2024. Tryouts for the next season are approaching, and she feels hesitant about retiring.
What's Next

Smith is contemplating returning for another season and believes that her team can achieve their dream of being a top-three team in the world.

Bottom Line

Michaela Smith and her Ottawa-based team achieved a 20th place finish in the Allstar World Championship for cheerleading, highlighting the physical intensity and dedication required for the sport. Despite not meeting their expectations, Smith is proud of her team's performance and is considering returning for another season, emphasizing the strong bond and performance unity in competitive cheerleading.