The reason for the hype was a pee wee spirit squad of about 70 girls—ages 6 to 12—from local elementary schools, including Los Gatos and Saratoga schools. The girls spent three days earlier that week learning the basics about how to be a cheerleader during a camp run by Saratoga High School's varsity and junior varsity squads. The three-day camp was a fundraiser for the cheerleading team to help pay for the costs they incur throughout the year, such as competitions and choreography.

"It gives the younger girls something to look forward to when they get to high school," said parent adviser Gigi Peebles of Saratoga. "We are trying to change the cheerleading overlook. The sport is becoming more athletic—although the school doesn't recognize it as a sport."

The participants received pom poms, T-shirts and expert coaching in either song or dance routines. Peebles said there aren't many organizations, other than private groups, which expose elementary-aged children to cheer and dance.

She added that the high school squad is competing more than they have in the past and incorporating more back flips and gymnastics-type skills into their routines. However, the pee wee squad just focused on simple moves, such as toe touches, said sophomore and junior varsity song team member Kelly Burke, 15, who helped lead the camp.

Anne Marie Paranzino of Saratoga said her daughter Arianna, a fifth grader at Argonaut Elementary School, enrolled in the camp for her second year, and will probably enroll again if the camp is offered during basketball season.

"It's great because Arianna gets to be with the older girls and sees their leadership, and it also gives the girls the ability to express themselves and have fun," Paranzino said. "I love to see the spirit and the camaraderie of the 11th or 12th graders with the younger girls."

Arianna said she was inspired by the older cheerleaders, and hopes to make the squad one day when she gets to high school. The pee wee squad performed on Friday night in the song portion of the routine to James Brown's "I Feel Good."

Peebles' daughter, Mallory Peebles, 16, a junior at Saratoga High School, is in her third year on the varsity cheerleading team. She said they practice five days a week after school for two hours, as well as at football games. The squad also has frequent car washes on the weekends. She added that it's exciting to serve as a role model for the younger girls, two of whom already have uniforms that look just like those of the high school cheerleaders.

For the Oct. 3 performance, a few of the high school cheerleaders went onto the football field with the pee wee group to help them during the halftime routine.

"They're always really nervous," Mallory said. "So we can't let them do it alone or else they'll freeze."