Fitness Unlimited has opened their doors for Benton Athletics
State champion cheerleading squad takes advantage of off er to use facility's courts

STATE CHAMPIONS Benton High School cheerleaders are pictured above with their State Championship trophy that they won recently at Jessieville High School. There were approximately 30 high schools from across Arkansas that competed. The Panther cheerleaders were named the winners of the large-varsity division. They will compete in Dallas, Texas on Dec. 28-29 at the National Cheerleaders Association High School Cheerleading Championships. Front row: Kimmy Belz-captain, Anna Globe, Loren Caldwel,Camille Montgomery, co-captain Chelsy Lewis, Leslie Stilwell and co-captain Rachel Downen. Middle row: Livi Meadors, Carly Glover, Carrie Lovell, Stacey Spivey, Christy Belz, Brittney Reynolds, Laura Cooper and Brynne Simmons. Back row: Kaylee Wingerter, Katie Mills, Lindi Viner, Baliey Mustain and Shelby Brooks.

The Benton High School Panther Cheerleaders are practicing in the old gymnastics room of the women's workout area.

Also, any Benton athletic teams are welcome to use the Fitness Unlimited courts for their practices.

"I am excited about the possibilities that Fitness Unlimited has offered us," said Benton Athletic Director Scott Neathery. "Shane Pigue told me that they wanted to support Benton Athletics in any way they could. Community people may not realize that we have 10 teams that we have to provide gym space to. This includes junior high and high school volleyball, junior high and high school boys and girls basketball and junior high and high school cheer and dance. We also have middle school intramural programs vying for space. We only have four gyms and we get to use the boys and girls club until 3 p.m. daily.

"When it rains in the spring, we have to find a place for baseball, softball, track and soccer," he continued. "Having the use of the Fitness Unlimited space gives me some breathing room when placing teams in different limited facilities. When counting boys, girls, junior high and high school, Benton athletic program has 25 teams. We are bursting at the seams. I want to thank Fitness Unlimited for letting us use their facilities."

Comparatively speaking, Bryant school district has 13 gymnasiums with two full courts. Harmony Grove has two gymnasiums, as well as Bauxite for usages among the teams.

"On behalf of the Benton High School cheerleaders, I would like to thank Fitness Unlimited so much for offering the use of their facilities," said Benton Cheer Coach Karen Hilborn. "I am very proud to be the coach of the Panther Cheerleaders. I believe that the cheerleaders and drill/dance teams in Benton public schools are some of the best in the state. However, we definitely have a lack of facilities for all of our athletic teams to practice every day. The Boys and Girls' Club and Fitness Unlimited have been very supportive of our district and allowed us the use of their gyms. In fact, Fitness has recently agreed to allow the cheerleaders to use the gym of what used to be Kidsports every day for as long as we need it. We truly do appreciate the support of people in our community like Shane Pigue as we all strive to make Benton proud of our athletic programs."