Former Knight cheers to second

Calvin Culverwell, a Wasilla resident, was recently a part of the Barton County Community College cheerleading squad that took second place at the 2003 National Collegiate Cheerleading and Dance Team Championships.

The event was held in April in Daytona Beach, Fla.

"There were 194 teams for the whole competition from all divisions this year," said Barton Cheer and Dance head coach Debbie Warren. "It's the largest group they've ever had.

"It felt really good to finish second," Warren said. "It's a great accomplishment."

Culverwell is a sophomore at Barton County Community College. He is not the only Alaskan on the squad, however. Soldotna's Autumn Thurmond is also a part of the team. She is a sophomore at Barton.

Culverwell is a Colony High School graduate.