January 9, 2019 -- More than a thousand cheerleaders representing schools from Westchester and surrounding counties will run, jump, tumble and pyramid at the annual Westchester County Cheerleading Invitational, Tuesday and Wednesday, January 22 and 23, at the Westchester County Center in White Plains.

Westchester County Executive George Latimer said: “It’s been said that with football you get four downs, in baseball you get three strikes, but in cheerleading you have to get it right the first time. Those breath-holding, adrenaline-pumping moments make the cheerleading competition exciting and fun.”

High school and middle school squads will be judged on their jumps, tumbling, partner stunts, pyramids/basket tosses, choreography, timing, projection and the difficulty of their routines.

Competitions will begin at 5:30 p.m. on both nights. The United States Marine Corps will present the colors for the opening ceremony each evening. Snow date is Thursday, January 24.

The Grand Champions trophy competition, featuring the five varsity divisions winners, is scheduled for Wednesday.

The Annette Hroncich Westchester County Cheerleading Association scholarships will be awarded based on candidates’ academic average, interview, written essay, school and community involvement and cheerleading ability.

Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for students with school I.D. (one ticket per I.D.), and $5 for children under 12. Tickets go on sale to the public on Wednesday, Jan. 2, at the County Center box office, which is open Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The box office is closed Saturdays through Mondays except for ticketed events held that day.

Cash and all major credit cards are accepted.

The Westchester County Cheerleading Invitational is sponsored by Westchester County Parks, the Westchester Parks Foundation and the Westchester County Cheerleading Association.

The County Center is located at 198 Central Avenue in White Plains. Parking is $10 per car.

Go to countycenter.biz or call the Westchester County Center at (914) 995-4050.