Xplosions All-Stars burst onto the scene Sunday, Sept. 30 at the Santa Cruz Beach boardwalk in a competition hosted by the United Spirit Association. The new All-Star Cheer Team from Brentwood enjoyed the sun, beach, boardwalk and first-place wins in two divisions.

Xplosions started its All-Star Cheer program in May of 2007 at Black Diamond Gymnastics. Xplosions consists of two age groups: the Emerald Team (5-8) and the Diamond Team (9-14). Some of them have been coached by Xplosions head coach Meleasa Clement in other programs, while others have never cheered before.

The girls practiced hard for their first competition, working on their dance routine with stunts and tumbling, smiling all the while.

Coach Clement could not wait to see her girls perform. "I never dreamed we would come to our first competition and come home with two first-place wins and a bid at Nationals in February in Anaheim," she said. "I knew they were doing so well at practice and knew they were ready, but the girls showed the competition they were ready. I am truly blessed to have such talented girls."