Cheer Athletics Omaha team heads to Junior Olympics

Cheer Athletics Omaha will send its first competitive team, the Courage CAts, to the AAU Junior Olympic Games on July 27 in Omaha. The team is believed to be Nebraska's first all-star cheer squad to reach the national event, marking a milestone for the 14-month-old program.

Why it matters: - Cheer Athletics Omaha is sending its first competitive team to the AAU Junior Olympic Games, a national youth event that can elevate a local cheer program onto a bigger stage. - The Courage CAts are believed to be Nebraska's first all-star cheer team to qualify for the event. - The appearance marks a milestone for Omaha all-star cheer and for a program that opened only 14 months ago.

What happened: - Cheer Athletics Omaha will recognize the Courage CAts at a public send-off on Monday, July 27, at 6 p.m. - The send-off will take place at the gym's Omaha facility at 14620 Gold Coast Road. - Admission is free and open to the public. - The Courage CAts are a Youth Level 1 team with 16 athletes. - The team competed during the 2025-2026 season while building the tumbling, stunt and performance skills needed for national competition.

The details: - The AAU Junior Olympic Games bring together youth athletes from across the country to compete in multiple sports. - Cheer Athletics Omaha said the team reached the national level within its first year and a half. - Co-owner Tiffani Wolf said the team's work ethic and belief in one another earned the opportunity. - Wolf called the moment a milestone not just for Cheer Athletics Omaha, but for Nebraska cheer. - Cheer Athletics Omaha is part of Cheer Athletics, which has locations across the United States and the United Kingdom. - The Omaha program offers competitive all-star cheer teams, tumbling classes and skills training for athletes of all ages and experience levels.

Between the lines: - The quick rise of the Courage CAts suggests growing interest and development in Nebraska's all-star cheer scene. - A first trip to a national event can help a young program recruit athletes, build credibility and strengthen community support. - The public send-off also gives the Omaha community a chance to rally around a homegrown team before national competition.

What's next: - The Courage CAts will travel from Omaha to the AAU Junior Olympic Games after the July 27 send-off. - The team will compete on the national stage as Cheer Athletics Omaha's first competitive squad to do so. - Cheer Athletics Omaha is likely to use the appearance to build momentum for future teams and seasons.