Jets cheerleaders return home as national champs

James Clemens cheerleaders proudly wear their championship jackets after winning the national title. (RECORD PHOTO/REBECCA CROOME)

MADISON – The 2013-2014 competition cheerleading squad at James Clemens High School received a warm, welcome-back-home salute when they returned from Orlando with their national title.

The Jets Cheerleaders won the national championship at the Universal Cheerleaders Association competition on Feb. 9.

The squad includes Jada Bates, Gracie Bennett, Sydney Caudill, Leanna Clark, Kylie Clem, Lauren Clem, Ashlee Crull, Niya Godine, Stephanie Haddock, Kaylan Hampton, Emily Hardy, Sydney Hicks, Lyndsay Jackson, Abbie Johnson, Kayleigh Killgore …

… Robyn Kincade, Lizzie Marlow, Avery McCutcheon, Aly McKaig, Sutton Parker, Caroline Payne, Emily Petrucka, Lexi Russell, Annalee Ruble, Savannah Taylor, Sydney Turner, Lauren Wasley and Kenedey Williams.

Andrea Alexander coaches the competition cheerleaders.

“I was absolutely pleased with their performance,” Alexander said. “They went out and showed all of their talent and difficulty. Our difficult routine is what put us in first.”

The Jets’ competition routine was much more difficult than any other team in their division, Alexander said.

The cheerleaders flew home on Feb. 10 and were met with a crowd of parents, teachers, administrators and politicians who congratulated them on their national title.

Approximately 500 teams participated in the competition. “In our division for ‘Super Varsity,’ there was 29 teams in the semi-finals. Fifteen teams then went on to compete in the finals round,” Alexander said.

By competing in the super varsity division, the Jets were allowed to have 21 to 30 cheerleaders in their floor performance. “We competed with a 2.5-minute routine. It included stunts, tumbling and a cheer,” Alexander said.

For music, a deejay mixed songs to produce an exclusive track for their routine.

Alexander thanked parents, teachers and administrators for constant support of their work.

“Winning a National Championship is always a wonderful accomplishment but bringing the first national championship to James Clemens makes this even more special,” Alexander said. “This is a great group of girls, and I am very proud of them.”