TYLER - Not too many years ago, cheerleading became extremely competitive, big time business and it now takes highlytrained cheerleaders to compete for school spots as well as national competition groups.

Mid-Air Tumbling and Cheer, just outside Loop 323 in Tyler on Hwy 155, recently changed the name from trampoline to cheer, and for reasons cheerleading hopefuls will be glad to hear.

Bullard, Chandler, Whitehouse and other surrounding students ranging from age five are among the original 30 in class on Monday and Thursdays to the new and growing phenomenon.

It's not just for those to prepare to tryout, said the mastermind of the monthold program, Stephanie Price.

"The Mid-Air staff is striving to get the cheerleaders trying-out for their schools prepared, and also those that are already into cheer, getting better and incorporating tumbling and stunting that needs to be taught the right way."

Price has the experience having started at T.K. Gorman for four years, and then moving on to a cheerleading scholarship at the University of Arkansas. After five year as the Lindale Youth Cheerleading Coordinator, Price and Mid-Air owner Bill May agreed there was a need.

"We are very fortunate to have the knowledge and experience that Mrs. Price brings to starting a progam like this out," May said in a phone conversation. "Mid- Air just decided to change the name so that East Texas will know of the commitment we are making to taking cheerleading to a new level in our area."

One of those steps will be forming the FLARE Cheer squad.

A former Lindale cheerleader, Meagan Rogers is on the staff at Mid-Air and currently is a competitive cheerleader. The former Lady Eagle lights up when talking about the program and the prospects.

"What we are doing at Mid-Air is a little more detailed that the ordinary cheer school or camps," Rogers said. "We incorporate four hours of work in to two day, and one of those hours is strictly tumbling and it really takes things to a whole new level."

Tryouts for the FLARE competition cheer squad are upcoming Sept. 21-22, from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m., at Mid-Air Tumbling and Cheer, located on Westway Drive, off of Hwy. 155 South (across from Valero gas station.)

CLINIC INFORMATION: Saturday, Feb.28, $15 per participant with a 40-person limit to the clinic. Participants will need TShirt, shorts, and tennis shoes. For more information, log-on to www.midairgym. com or call (903) 581- 2922.