Nobody has more pep than the Warren County High School varsity football cheerleaders.
The WCHS cheerleaders recently attended the Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA) camp at Tennessee Tech University where the group was named the superior squad. The local cheerleaders also claimed first place in cheer and third place in extreme routine and game day routine.
Along with the team awards, Mary Kate Simerly and Kaitlin Morton were selected as UCA All-American cheerleaders. Simerly and Morton will get the opportunity to represent WCHS by traveling to London for its New Year’s Day parade. Seniors Allie Golden, Rylee Hilliard and Simerly also have the chance to march in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade in New York City.
On its way to winning the superior squad award, Warren County participated in evaluations each night after strenuous workouts during the day.
The cheerleaders learned various dances, cheers and stunts during their time at camp and had to perform those tasks in front of the UCA staff in an attempt to earn superior ribbons. Warren County won ribbons in cheer and extreme routine.
Helping Warren County’s cause as well was the performances by Morton and Eden Fryar in the camp’s jump-off event. With every person in camp – over 500 cheerleaders in all – competing, Morton and Fryar were able to advance to the final round of the event.
Warren County was also awarded Team Up for St. Jude pins for their letter-writing project that supports St. Jude Children’s Hospital. The squad’s enthusiasm also earned it the spirit stick each day of the camp.
Junior Alexis Crouch ended the week by receiving the team’s leadership award.
The cheerleading team includes Hilliard, Golden, Simerly, Crouch, Fryar, Morton, Peyton Boran, Kaylee Hillis, Vanyssa Marlin, Hannah Mason, Savannah Kelley, Kievan Woods, Abby Roller and Mackenzie Craighead.
The team is coached by Stacey Elam, who adds that her squad is busy preparing their annual football program and gearing up for the season. The football season kicks off Friday, Aug. 22 at DeKalb County.