I heard about this yesterday...the conference officials have banned throwing stunts and pyramids in excess of two levels...probably an over-reaction.
As the father of a high school competitive cheerleader who has been on 4 National Championship squads and who will be competing at this years Cheerleading World Championship I can tell you they are definetly athletes...and most certainly a different breed
I know many don't consider it a sport because it is judged and the scores are subjective. However, I will brag and say there are few people that can perform at the level of my daughter's squad. There is no way in...well you know...that I could ever have done what she can do.