Competition cheer team headed to state competition

Amy Tolbert

The competition cheer team will compete at a state competition on Feb. 27. They hope to become back-to-back state champions. Photo courtesy of Mindy Kunar

Danielle Varasso

The competition cheer team is prepping and gearing up for their biggest competitions of the year. They will compete in the Ohio Association of Secondary School Administrators (OASSA) Cheer and Dance State Competition at Pickerington North on Feb. 27. 

The strongest schools from the State of Ohio compete in this event. Teams must qualify at a regional event in order to participate in the OASSA State of Ohio Cheer and Dance Championships, according to the OASSA website.

“We won last year so the pressure is on to be back-to-back champions,” senior Shelene Day said.

In their past competitions this season, they have qualified for states and were grand champions, but did not compete their very best at some of the others. Their main goal is to improve their score and hit one of their best routines.

Members of the team are Bella Cox, Shelene Day, Grace Gottschalk, Ellie Holbert, Bella Jump, Alayna Kale, Ella Kunar, Rylie Lynde, Raeah Morris, Ella Persiani, Liv Piatt, Delaney Pruden and Sejal Sutliff. They are coached by Grace Seibold.

In three weeks they are heading to Orlando for Nationals.