KALAMA — Shalese Jorgenson can create a triangle of cups in seconds. Then, with a sweep of her arm, she collects the cups into a single stack. It’s a routine Shalese and six other Kalama students, ranging in ages 10 to 12, have practiced countless times.

This week, the team is focused on trimming seconds and perfecting their techniques for a speed-stacking competition Saturday in Beaverton.

“Seconds make a big difference,” said Shalese, a Kalama seventh-grader. “Even one second can make a difference between winning and losing.”

Kalama students first learned about speed stacking from Kalama Elementary physical education teacher Darcy Campbell, who coaches the extracurricular club that’s open to students of all ages.

Speed stacking — in which people create several triangles of cups from a single stack, then re-stack the cups — became such a hit with some students during P.E. classes that Campbell formed a club. During P.E., Campbell coordinates relays and squats into gym class stacking exercises to help raise students’ heart rates.

For the club, students use weighted, metal cups to condition themselves for matches. The heavy cups make plastic cups feel much lighter and easier to move by competitions, she said.

“If you can go fast with the metal cups, it will just go with the flow,” said Kalama seventh-grader Emily Posey, 12.

Speed stacking requires quick hands, but it’s also great for improving hand-eye coordination, Campbell said. Students use both hands while stacking and any fumbles must be corrected before someone can attempt the next move, Campbell said.

The professionals, sometimes featured on ESPN, move so fast “you almost have to slow it down” to watch it, Campbell said.

Competing can be a bit unnerving for some Kalama competitors, especially when it’s time to face the judges, Shalese Jorgenson said.

“Judges just stare at you like they’re mad. They’re watching your every move,” Shalese said.

Special “stacking cups” typically have three holes in the bottom to help air pass through the cup, Campbell said, but that hasn’t kept her students from practicing at home with everything from Dixie Cups to special-ordered camouflaged colored cups.

Students said it’s fun to show off their speed to family and friends.

“They say, ‘you’re really fast,’” said Kalama fourth-grader Chayse Jorgenson, 10.

“People think it’s amazing we can do that, but it’s not that hard,” Shalese said.

Video: Overall Sport Stacking Champion: Steven Purugganan