Football season ended months ago, but the Warren County High School football cheerleaders are as busy as ever.
The cheerleaders have competed in two state tournaments since the conclusion of the season, earning high marks in both. Warren County finished second in the small varsity division of the TSSAA state competition Nov. 18, then won the small division competition at the Smoky Mountain Championship Dec. 1.
The top finishes earned the WCHS cheerleaders a bid to the UCA National Competition in February, when the team will travel and compete at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Florida.
The football season was a chance for the team to prep its routine before its first big test – the TSSAA state competition. Warren County was facing many talented squads, including a few which place nationally each year. Among the field, the cheerleaders heard their names called as state runners-up, a huge honor for the team.
“The girls did awesome. When it was time for awards, squad after squad were getting called out,” said coach Stacey Elam. “The feeling started sinking in that we could be state champions. We are so excited being state runner up, but we are ready to secure the state title next year.”
Already proving they were among the nation’s elite, the cheerleaders went back to work two weeks later in hopes of another title.
The Smoky Mountain Championship provided the team a new opportunity to compete in a gameday event as well as its traditional small varsity category.
“Gameday is a new division we are competing in this year. It is a situational routine just like we do at football games,” said Elam. “It consists of a band song, sideline and halftime cheers and ends with our traditional fight song. The girls performed with such enthusiasm and spirit.”
The performance was good enough to net Warren County a third-place finish, but the team saved its best for the small varsity portion.
Warren County showed out in its performance and heard its name called last in Sevierville.
“They huddled up and pepped each other up before they took the floor. They knew they had to do their best,” said Elam.
Their best was enough to earn the title, along with a second bid to the UCA Nationals. The first was secured at the state tournament.
The team has already started its prep for the national tournament, but it will take a break in late December to make a trip to Nashville. The WCHS cheerleaders are scheduled to perform Saturday, Dec. 29 for Vanderbilt when the Commodores face TSU.
“This event has become an annual event and we look forward to it each year,” said Elam.
Being among the state’s best is also becoming a common occurrence for the WCHS cheerleaders.
