Local High Schools Win State Titles At Cheer State Championships; Sparkman Wins For 31st Consecutive Year
“The hard work this year has really paid off and they just keep getting stronger each competition,” said Kaitlin Longino head coach at Sparkman as the Senators picked up state title trophies in both varsity and junior varsity Co-Ed divisions. The victory was the 31st consecutive state championship for the varsity squad, which featured one male cheer member. The junior varsity squad has three male members on the roster.
For Bob Jones, the Patriots took top honors in the Class 7-A division. Led by head coach Ashley Mitchell-Dowdell, the large squad went into the competition with the mindset of a solid performance. “This year our focus was based around a mindset of changing the way we think towards the competition,” said Mitchell-Dowdell. “These girls have so much raw talent, but they have lacked the confidence. We decided as a team that we would not leave anything in the hands of our opponents. This group went over and beyond our expectations and we are thrilled on how they performed.”
At James Clemens, the Lady Jets set a school record in the Gameday competition as they scored a 98.5 out of a possible 100, which is a team record. The effort gave the Jets a state championship and is the third year in a row for the squad and its fourth in three years under the leadership of head coach Hannah Stockman.
“This team has worked very hard to adjust and learn a new form of competition in the Gameday category,” said Stockman. “Focusing on energy, crowd leading and precision of skills, these athletes have mastered this division and I’m so proud of this group of athletes.”
James Clemens also won a runner-up trophy to Bob Jones in the Class 7-A category.
“We are so proud of these teams and the way they are upholding the tradition of Sparkman cheerleading,” said Longino. “We are already hard at work preparing for Cheer Nationals to be held in February.”
The members of each squad winning titles include:
Sparkman Varsity Co-Ed:
Seniors- Quinton Billups (Captain), Kyndal Miller, Senna Roberts (Captain), Josie Shallbetter
Juniors- Vanessa Bailey, Malia Chitwood, Emma Cobb, Aamirah Hayes, Jordan Moore, Payton Wikoff
Sophomores- Amiyah Cooley, Madison Fletcher, Madison Russell, Elizabeth Thompson
Freshmen- Tia Barnes, Gabrielle Betts, Kennedi Fortson, Neeli Harwell, Sydney Ratcliff
Coaches- Kaitlin Longino and Ben Park.
Sparkman JV Co-Ed:
Juniors- Mallory Gibson, Erin Lindsey
Sophomores- Travon Corbett, John Shallbetter
Freshmen- Hazel Akins, Ava Bruder, Anabelle Campbell, Scarlett Gokee, Taylor Mayfield, Lauren Mitchell, Mariah Nelson, Lily O’Neil, Breyona Parks, Ashli Potts, Riley Beth Rowe, Lazariah Sanderson, Fern Schroder, Kimoria Shelby, Sariya Sheppard, Joey Solomon.
Bob Jones: Seniors- Aaliyah Washington, Brooke Stevens, Daneigh Hart, Kamryn Locke, Kathryn Steele, Leah Lessmann, Olivia Morgan, Sydney McDonald. Juniors- Anniston Carver, Arianna Lee, Ashlyn Davenport, Bailey Jefferson, Caroline Clark, Emma Kate Lindsey, Jenna Kay Chesser, Maxie Reyes. Sophomores- Su Le, Tristen Moulton, Emma Kutche, Ellen Barrier, Ari Deadeaux. Freshmen- Amara Wanninger, Ashlyn Hart, Brooke Groves, Elissa Mitchell, Kahri Odom, Macy Blair Croteau, Paris Petty, Sarah Stern, Savannah Smith.
James Clemens: Kenze Achenbach- 11, Ashley Ahrens- 12, Whitney Bailey- 11, Kathryn Bennefield- 10, Hannah Bruce- 9, Ava Cramer- 10, Paris Dryer- 11, Evelyn Edger- 10, Shayla Hawkins- 12, Maddie Hicks- 9, Julia Ingalls- 10, Alexis Ivy- 11, Emma Jones- 9, Amelia Koerlin- 9, Emma Koerlin- 12, Perri McMahan- 11, Ashlyn Newberry- 10, Kiersten Ratcliff- 11, Samantha Rhodes- 11, Gabbie Russell- 11, Katie Russell- 11, Sydney Snodgrass- 10, Josee Steelman- 11, Kaitlin Stone- 9, Malikah Stowe- 10, Haley Swafford- 9, Emily Tieszen- 12, Ella Thomas- 11, Alyssa Tucker- 10, Kaylee Tucker- 10, Alexis Wayne- 12,Parker Wrobel- 9.
