Cheer South Athletics was founded in 1998 by sisters and co-owners, Keyshia Brunson Rountree and Katina Brunson Archie, and with their guidance and training, countless young people have been tumbling, cheering, and competing in a family-focused environment for 24 years now. Read on to learn more.
The family behind the business
The Brunson sisters started coaching while attending college at Georgia Southern University, and after graduating, they decided to start a cheerleading competition team, which they named simply: Cheer South.
After obtaining their business license and registering their team in the state of Georgia, they were ready to go forward in hopes of creating one of the best all-star teams in the area. Their very good friend, Ray Mills, put in the man power to help the Brunson sisters achieve their desired goal.
With the help of their cousin, Cynthia Brunson, they had their first ever tryouts at Sweetheart Circle and a local dance studio, and their first team consisted of 25 girls.
Afterwards, they started practicing to compete in their first cheerleading competition in 1998. This first team had ages ranging from 12-18, which is Senior Level. Rountree states that first competition was located in Myrtle Beach, SC, and they won second place to a prestigious World Cup Allstar team. It was a learning experience for the team.
“My kids got bit in the butt,” Rountree says. “Once they saw, 'Oh wow, this is how we’re supposed to look,' it flourished from there.”
The team continued to train harder throughout the duration of that year, and the next year, Cheer South hosted tryouts for their second team: Junior Level. By their sixth year, there were four full teams in the gym. The gym has grown from there.
“In 2017, we added a prep program -- low cost, less travel,” Rountree says. “We started that program to get more kids in, and it acquired two more teams, so that’s why we [now] have six teams.”
Let’s meet Cheer South Allstars cheerleading teams
Tiny Novice Restricted Superior Ranking Kitty Katz: Ages 3-6; Coached by Jenni Brostek
L1.1 Youth Prep National Champions- Sassy Katz: Ages 6-12; Coached by Sydney Williams and Elizabeth Grant
L1 Youth Elite National Champions Diamond Katz: Ages 6-12; Coached by Luci McNeely
L2 Junior Elite National Champions, Highest Score & Paid Bid Winner to AllStar Worlds Fierce Katz: Ages 8-14; Coached by Bob McNeely
L3 Junior Elite National Champions Fierce Divas: Ages 8-14; Coached by Katina Archie
L4 Senior Coed Elite National Champions Royalty; Coached by Keyshia Rountree and Britny Mincey
There are also four junior coaches that assist with various teams in the program. These teams travel and compete in eight competitions every season.
Parent involvement at the Cheer South Allstars gym
One parent whose involvement with the team goes beyond words is Shontelle Childress. She loves to be a part of the gym and promote the team any chance she gets. Childress has been a cheer parent at the gym for five years, and her daughter is on the Fierce Divas team. She loves the cheer program and how it has benefited her daughter from day one.
“For Kennedy, the benefits of being a part of Cheer South are working as a team and making life long friends. She has also learned a whole lot of discipline and work ethic,” Childress says. “For me, it’s seeing her do what she loves to do on stage.”
Childress mentioned that the coaching staff is dedicated to the kids, and while they’re tough, it’s necessary for the kids to compete at a higher level.
“To see where Kennedy started from, from the first day she walked into Cheer South’s Gym until now, still amazes me!” Childress says. “She works hard to prove to herself that she can get the skills to make her a better competitive cheerleader.”
All cheer parents are involved in helping with different tasks at the gym, different outside events, and lots of fundraising. One of the biggest fundraisers that the parents are in charge of is a golf tournament, which has been held annually for 21 years. Every year, they work hard to raise around $20,000.
"We love for our parents to be involved, and we love the support,” Rountree says. “We couldn’t ask for a better group of cheer parents in the past 24 years. [We have a] great support system.”
Train hard; Stay positive
During previous cheer seasons, Rountree and Archie had full time jobs and continued to run the gym like that was their only job. Now, they’re solely dedicated to running and operating the gym and team successfully for seasons to come.
The Cheer South Allstars program now consists of 150 kids, and AllStar teams have collectively won more than 250 national titles.
“We try to keep a very positive environment, but we train hard," Rountree says.
CheerSouth teams will head to Buford, GA, this weekend to compete at the Georgia Cheer Challenge.
Good luck, Allstars, from Grice Connect!
If you are interested in being a part of the Cheer South Allstars Gym, click here to visit their website.
