WEST POINT, Ala.- The West Point High School varsity cheerleading squad last month won first place at the UCA Space Center Regional in Huntsville. It was one of eight local squads to qualify for the National High School Cheerleading Championship, which will take place in Orlando in January/February.
WPHS Varsity Cheerleading Coach Karen Pinion shared shortly after her team’s win in October, “We will arrive in Orlando Jan. 28, and compete that following weekend. In the meantime, we will be cheering on all of our other Cullman County teams as they get a bid to Nationals in the next few weeks. West Point Varsity competes in the Varsity Co-ed Game Day Division. The judges’ criteria includes, but is not limited to, the following: game day relevance to situational sideline, effectiveness and execution of skills, motion techniques and crowd leading tools, just to name a few.”
Pinion said this will be the first cheer team from West Point High School to travel to Nationals and compete.
“The team has received bids to nationals in the past, but the major factor that has prevented them from attending has been the extreme cost of cheering and competition expenses that are associated with going to Disney,” Pinion said. “As you know, cheerleaders have no true revenue source. All funds that support this team, like most other cheer teams in our area, are primarily through fundraising, donations and monthly payments made by the cheerleaders.”
Any individual or business that would like to support the West Point cheer team, regardless of the donation amount, would be greatly appreciated, Pinion shared.
“Our cheer season started in February of this year,” she said. “The team held tryouts earlier than usual to get a jumpstart on fundraising. Cheerleaders and parents alike were dedicated to continuing the success from the previous years and reaching the goal of going to Nationals in Disney! In all, we had 26 cheerleaders that made the varsity team with 12 returning seniors from the previous year.
“However, in April of this year, our team lost a dear friend, close confidant and an irreplaceable member of the team in an automobile accident. Brayden Hand was such an integral part of this varsity team, a cheerleader to his own team, the first to volunteer, and whose laughter could be heard from miles away. He had a smile that would light up a room and he lived each day to the fullest as a member of the West Point varsity team. To say our team misses him, would be an enormous understatement. There is not a day that goes by that his name is not spoken or stories told that include his larger than life personality.”
Pinion shared if she could share one thing about the team she would say it is one of faith, love and compassion.
“We have talked extensively about the power of prayer and what faith means to us as individuals and our team as a whole,” she said. “This team has committed to kindness, loving others and supporting fellow students and athletes alike. Our end goal is not only to be the best athlete, but to be a person of genuine faith and goodness in a world that desperately needs hope and comfort.”
Pinion said the varsity team attended camp over the summer at UCA Beach Club Resort and brought home 1st Place Overall Spirit, 2nd Place Cheer, 3rd Place Camp Dance, the UCA Leadership Award, the St. Jude’s Award, two Blue Superior Ribbons, three Pin It Forward Awards, had 1st Camp Day Banana recipients and 10 All-American Cheerleaders.
”Of all the camp awards, the Leadership Award is the most significant because it is decided upon by other cheer teams during camp,” Pinion said. “Essentially the award is given to the team that demonstrates exceptional leadership, character and spirit.”
The 25-26 West Point High School Varsity Cheer Team includes:
- Maddie Pinion (captain)
- Emma Griggs (co-captain)
- Taylor Tolbert (co-captain)
- Morgan Paris
- George Rojas
- James Bell
- Jaylei Needham
- Sienna Watrou
- Jayden Wynn
- Asia Davis
- Alyssa Riggs
- Audrey Bagwell
- Eliza Ballew
- Bella Jones
- Roxy Orshoski
- DJ Sigala
- Marlee Marks
- Elle Harbison
- Harlee Freeman
- Kadence Ragsdale
- Auburn Burtis
- Layla Franks
- Emma Thrasher
- Hailyn Guevarra
Tina Jones is the junior varsity cheer coach.
The varsity team also placed first in the 5A AHSAA North Super Regional Cheer Competition with a score of 87.8.
The win also earned the team a bid to compete at State in Birmingham at the Bill Harris Arena this month. Other local varsity cheer squads who earned bids to state and nationals include Cullman, Fairview, Good Hope, Hanceville, Vinemont, Holly Pond and Addison.
