The new Eclipse squad of K9 Cheer is headed to Las Vegas to compete in the Pinnacle Cheerleading Championship on May 10. Courtesy photo/K9 Cheer

NASHUA – K9 Cheer, a Pop Warner cheer program out of Nashua, has expanded its season with its first travel team, Eclipse.

Eclipse will be performing at the Pinnacle Cheerleading Championship in Las Vegas on May 10. This is the only planned competition for this first travel season for K9 Cheer but the plan for next year is to add more competitions to the schedule and potentially one more travel team.

This small but mighty team of only 11 athletes is coached by Maureen MacKay, K9 Cheer Vice President Kelli Taylor, K9 Cheer Spirit Director Rebecca Kuilan and Abbi Taylor.

“Some of our athletes are relatively new to cheerleading,” said Taylor. “Keeping athletes working on new skills in the off season helps build confidence and learn the importance of teamwork.”

Since March, the coaching staff has been impressed with how quickly the team has come together and prepared for its first competition. The hard work is paying off and Eclipse had a sendoff showcase over the weekend.

“We are excited,” said Kuilan. “This is a new experience to all of us coaches and athletes.”

With almost one season under its belt, K9 Cheer is excited to see what the future of the travel team has in store.

“We are always looking for ways to expand our organization,” said Taylor. “With this first team having so much success and support, expanding only seems like the right next step.”

“We want to keep the athletes working in the off season and to continue to share the sport we all love,” said Kuilan.

For information on the K9 Cheer fall, winter or travel team programs, contact k9cheer.spiritdirector@gmail.com.