The South Elite All-Stars, a Covington-based cheerleading team, are the reigning world champions of the Level 5 international all-girl division of the Cheerleading Worlds.

The South Elite team of 36 girls, ages 14 to 19, won the title during the competition April 26-27 in Orlando, Fla.

In their third year, the All-Stars were the first team from western Washington to receive a bid to the world event, which also draws squads from Germany, China, Mexico, Chile, Scotland and England, as well as the rest of the United States.

The U.S. All Star Federation, organizer of the annual competition, states its mission as “to maximize the number of participants benefitting from the positive life experiences of all-star cheerleading and dance.” And that’s what the Covington team achieved. As one coach noted, the Orlando event was “filled with excitement, surprises, successes, and moments of sheer victory.”