The Anson High School varsity cheerleaders placed third in the 3rd annual American Legion Post 76 Cheerleading Competition at the Stanly County Fair on Sept. 26.
The Bearcats placed 3 out of 5 teams in the varsity division, and were awarded a $200 prize for their efforts. The team is coached by Courtney Suggs.
“To prepare for competition, we took a week in August to learn the routine,” Sugggs said. “We practiced three days a week up until the competition date to make sure we were ready to perform.”
Suggs said that competition routines are completely different than sideline cheering. She also said that it takes endurance and strength to get through all of the components in a three-minute routine.
“Our third-place win was based off of a point system,” Suggs said. “We were scored based on a combination of our motions, jumps, tumbling, stunting, cheer, chant and dance. Our routine was three minutes long.”
There were two divisions: junior varsity and varsity. In the competition, each team was allowed two minutes to check their music and have a run-through on the floor of their routine.
There were three JV teams competing, and five Varsity teams. After all teams had performed, the results were announced.
“I think the team was nervous, as this was our first competition of the year,” Suggs said. “I was pleased at their performance because I know they gave their all and tried their hardest.”
Suggs said that the AHS cheerleaders have not competed in years.
“For some of the girls, it was their first competition ever,” Suggs said. “We went into competition hoping to do well, but not expecting first. We competed against teams who participate in competition on a normal basis every year.”
Suggs said that some of the teams have local gyms where they train, as well. She also said that regardless of any extra training the other teams have, when the announcers called their name for third place, the girls were so excited, and some even cried.
“It was great seeing our hard work pay off, and do better than teams who are used to competing,” Suggs said.
Reach Natalie Davis at 704-994-5471.