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Watauga Pioneers Take Second at National Cheerleading Competition

Story by Garrett Simmons

Full-ups, show ‘n gos, cupies, libs, front and back handsprings, basket tosses, layouts, 720s of the extension, heel-stretch and arabesque variety, and the ace up the cheerleaders’ sleeves—the pyramid. These were just a few tools in the sportsbags of the Watauga High School cheerleaders on March 7, as they traveled by bus to Knoxville, Tenn. for a two-day national competition.

For the Pioneers’ team of 20 varsity and JV cheerleaders, the competition was the culmination of countless hours of work, compressing their collective talents into a highly choreographed 2.5-minute routine—a whirlwind of aerial stunts, backed by the music of DJ Cheer.

The Pioneers faced an incredible amount of equally determined competitors. Both co-ed and all-female teams made up of more than 2,000 individual athletes traveled from across the United States to participate. The Pioneers squad competed in the largest high school varsity division.

Hosted by the Athletic Championships program, the tournament in Knoxville took place Saturday and Sunday, with daily scores counting for one-third and two-thirds of teams’ total scores, respectively. This schedule offered teams an opportunity to fine-tune their routines, and for the Watauga Pioneers, a second chance at perfecting their most difficult feat.

Brittany Ross, head coach of the Pioneers cheerleaders, described the moment of truth that occurred during Sunday’s competition. “The fixed pyramid was our most important stunt,” she said. “We had some trouble with it on Saturday, so we really needed it to shine on Sunday. When it was time for the pyramid, the girls completed it perfectly. It was a great moment.”

That crucial moment, and several others during the highly competitive weekend, earned the Pioneer squad second place overall in the national tournament. Their total score of 8.93 was a mere 0.18 points below PSC United, a co-ed team from Canton, Mich., that won first place.

Ross said the team’s success at the competition was an example of hard work paying off. “The girls started practicing in December,” she said. “They worked so hard for this competition, and it showed in their routines. They did an amazing job, both on and off the floor.”

Returning home Sunday evening, spirits were high inside the Pioneers bus, and the team received an unexpected welcome as they passed through Foscoe—a police escort into Boone, organized by the family of one of the team members. Ross said it was a fitting end to such a successful weekend. “The girls were so excited coming home from Knoxville. It was nice to be celebrated on our way back home.”