JUNE BUSINESS: Twist & Shout

Anyone who says cheerleading and tumbling aren’t sports has never visited Twist and Shout in Edmond. Their athletes execute maneuvers that defy gravity and demonstrate a remarkable amount of strength, balance and dexterity. As Twist and Shout enters its second decade in Edmond, founder and owner Orson Sykes expects their success to continue well into the future.

Offering recreational and competitive programs, Twist and Shout has a program for any skill level. “We believe that tumbling and cheerleading are great ways to keep young kids in shape while teaching them teamwork and commitment,” Sykes says. “Our tumbling and All-Star programs build champions from the inside out.” The results speak for themselves. “Twist and Shout has won over 300 national championships, 10 State Championships in power tumbling and 12 medals at the elite USASF World Championships, including three gold medals and two Summit National Championships,” Sykes explains.

In addition to their Edmond location, Twist and Shout operates facilities in Norman, Tulsa and Muskogee. Its All-Star Cheerleading Program is one of the best in the nation. Tryouts for the elite squad are held in the spring and include teams tailored for all ages and abilities. “Our teams promote traits that are essential to being successful in life,” Sykes adds. The Twist and Shout tumbling program, another successful enterprise for the organization, is made available to children at preschool age. “The program is for the young, but we make sure they advance as well as have fun,” Sykes says.

Sykes and his wife Marketia started Twist and Shout in 1996 following Orson’s time as a cheerleader and gymnast at the University of Oklahoma. Their enrollment doubled within a week of opening. Sykes moved the organization to a 7,500sf building in Edmond in 1997, and Twist and Shout has remained there since.

Sykes’ training philosophy is straightforward. “We strive to use positive reinforcement and correction while working with our athletes. However, our staff will be firm when it comes to the health and safety of athletes participating in this potentially dangerous sport,” Sykes says. “It is our responsibility to train each athlete in the techniques of tumbling and cheerleading and to help them set and achieve goals.”

If you are looking for a way to help your children build physical and mental strength while learning lifelong values of teamwork and determination, Twist and Shout has a program that will do just that. 

Twist and Shout is located at 14801 N Lincoln Blvd in Edmond. More information can be found by calling 405-775-9491 or at shouterspirit.com.