Cheerleaders compete for "Make-a-Wish"

Hamden, Conn. (WTNH) - Hundreds of cheerleaders packed the sports complex at Quinnipiac University this weekend for the school's 6th annual Cheer Challenge.

It was a Sunday morning full of bright smiles, bold styles and precise moves.

Competitive cheerleading drives the energetic performers to soak up the environment while putting on a show.

"Stunting is the hardest for me. It's a lot of work. You have to work with other people and sometimes it gets hard to all be cohesive," said Alyssa Buda of Northeast Tropics.

"Some people ask why it's called cheerleading. But, it's still the same concept: just dance, stunting, jumps, but there's no cheer in it," said Lisa Marieminck of Northeast Tropics.

Event host Quinnipiac has become a pioneering-force in the sport, developing one of the first dozen collegiate squads in the country.

Not only does the hard work pay off in competitive satisfaction, but this event has become a large fundraiser for the Make-a-Wish Foundation .

And through the efforts of the organizers and participants, the competition raised more than $7,000 this weekend.