Menu
Kelly, East Prairie cheer teams make top 10 at nationals
SIKESTON — Varsity cheer squads in the area finished in the top 10 at the National Cheerleaders Association championships with all teams successfully performing in Dallas, Texas.
Andrea Sanders, East Prairie High School varsity cheerleader coach, said this was the school’s first appearance at the NCA nationals since the 1990s.
“Nationals was an amazing experience,” Sanders said. “There were so many teams competing with so much talent.”
In December, the team competed at state in the 2A large division, winning first place. At nationals, Sanders said they competed in the Intermediate Varsity Crowd Leading Small Division.
“We placed 10th in our division,” Sanders said. “Our goal going into this competition was to place in the top 10, so we were so excited reaching that goal, being this was the first time our cheer team has competed in this competition in almost 30 years.”
According to Sanders, the team left for nationals on Friday, Jan. 19, with the first competition taking place the next day and accounting for 25% of their final score.
“The final competition was on Sunday and was 75% of our final score, and awards were Sunday evening,” Sanders said.
Brynlea Ditto, a senior varsity cheerleader at East Prairie High School, shared her experience and thoughts on nationals.
“Every year, we hit the state competition, recognizing every team,” Ditto said. “Nationals, though, was next level. We got to meet teams from Hawaii to New York, and it was so surreal. Performing with spotlights on our hometown cheer team felt amazing in the huge arena.
Ditto continued: “More than a competition, it was a global showcase, creating unforgettable memories we will cherish forever. Our small-town team stood out, placing 10th in the nation and leaving a mark beyond our local scene.”
Emma Goodding, a freshman varsity cheerleader at East Prairie High School, said attending nationals for the first time was a remarkable experience.
“It was amazing; I feel like spending time with the team and doing what I love while exploring Texas was a dream come true,” Goodding said.
According to Emma Harper, a sophomore East Prairie High School varsity cheerleader, there are no words to describe their time at nationals.
“The emotion of experiencing Nationals is almost unexplainable,” Harper said. “We worked so hard all season long and it seemed like the trip would never come. Being on the mat under those bright lights with so many talented teams from all over the United States was such an awesome feeling.”
Thomas W. Kelly High School also competed in the NCA national championships and finished in the top 10 of their division.
Kelly’s head cheer coach Billy Hoskins said the team finished sixth in the Intermediate Small Non Tumbling Division.
Kelly High School’s cheer team has been competing in nationals just about every year since they won the national championship in 2015.
“Nationals is a great thing for young cheerleaders to experience because it teaches them a great lesson of hard work and discipline,” Hoskins said.
Myah Herrion, a Thomas W. Kelly High School cheerleader, also spoke about how it felt to be on the mat in front of the bright lights at nationals.
“Experiencing nationals on mat for the first time as a senior was surreal,” Herrion said. “I did not know at the beginning of the season if I was going to be on mat considering my late start to cheer unlike the rest of the team. Being able to be under the lights on the mat was a dream that I didn’t even know that I had, but I am extremely grateful it came true.”
Regionally, Jackson High School’s cheerleading team competed at the nationals for the first time in any of their sports, winning a silver medal and finishing second in their division.
Perryville High School’s cheerleading team also finished ninth overall in their division.