Oak Harbor cheerleaders placed fourth and Coupeville sixth in their respective divisions at the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association State Cheerleading Championship Saturday, Jan. 22, at Comcast Arena in Everett.
Oak Harbor competed in the small, all-girl division (no more than 12 girls) for 3A, 2A and 1A schools.
Coach Robin Gohn said, “While the routine began a little shaky, the Wildcats cranked it up and finished the routine with strength, confidence and full cheer spirit, resulting in some of the tops scores they have seen all season.”
The Wildcats finished with 202 points, their second highest total of the season, for fourth place. Life Christian took the title in the seven-team division with 249 points.
Oak Harbor assistant coach Lauren Albritton said, “It’s hard to believe the competition season is already over, just when all the pieces began to fit together.” Albritton added that Oak Harbor will graduate just one senior from the squad and said, “We are looking to the future of the Oak Harbor cheer program and are already planning on what will be an exciting 2011 season.”
Gohn said the coaches “would like to congratulate and thank all of the competition cheerleaders for their hard work, dedication and commitment to the cheer program throughout this season.”
Coupeville competed against nine schools from all classifications in the largest division, non-tumbling small group, and finished sixth with 184 points.
Steilacoom and Kentwood Green tied for first with 211 points.
Coupeville coach Sylvia Arnold said, “I am super proud as a mom and a coach. This team is an awesome family, and it is that spirit that took them to state.”
Gohn said one of the highlights of competing at state is the Parade of Teams. During the parade, all the lights are turned off in the arena and each team is escorted around the performance area “to the sound of cheers and applause from fellow teammates and spectators while decked out in glow-in-the-dark items…a fun time for all after a stressful and strenuous season.”
