Submitted Photo Members of the Core Athletix Ladies of Steel cheerleading team are pictured.

The Core Athletix Ladies of Steel, based in Dunkirk, are competing this weekend at the Summit All Star Cheerleading Championships at the Wal Disney World Resort in Florida.

Core Athletix is a cheerleading program with five gyms across New York state. The Ladies of Steel are based out of the 716 gym on Bennett Road in Dunkirk. This senior level 4.2 team consists of 10 athletes ranging in ages from 11-18 from all over Chautauqua County. They are coached by Lindsey Ulrich, Shelli Spicer, and Ashley Little.

The Summit is the most prestigious event in allstar cheerleading for levels 1-4. Even though Core is a very small gym in Chautauqua County with less than 50 athletes, they have been tasked with competing in the D1 category (for large gyms) because they are a part of Core Athletix, which is the largest all-star cheer program in the state.

The Ladies of Steel is the first cheerleading team ever to represent Chautauqua County and earn a bid to this prestigious event, where they get to go head to head with the best teams in the world. This season the Core Athletix program has received nine Summit bids. All of these very talented teams are competing at the ESPN Wide World of Sports arena and representing the State of New York this weekend.

Core Athletix offers cheerleading teams for all ages and all skill levels. They brought this program to Chautauqua County to give the children in this area the same opportunities to learn, develop and compete as children in larger areas. With Core Athletix, every child makes a team regardless of skill and experience. They pride themselves on a hgih level of professionalism and dedication to each child, helping them to achieve goals and become the best athlete they can be. You can find more information on the program at www.coreathletix.com.