Area high school cheer teams advance to state competition this weekend
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- Four area high school cheer teams placed well at the MCCA Regional Competition on October 5 at Liberty High School and are now preparing for the state competition.
The Mid-Buchanan Dragon squad took 1st in the 2A Small Division. This school's program is going through a revival that coach Melissa Farris is deeply proud of.
"Mid-Buchanan hasn't competed since 2008, when none of these girls were even alive," Farris shared. "So I had a bunch of girls that were interested in competing, and our admin was awesome enough to let us do it. And it's pretty much been a roller coaster ride of fun and hard work."
St. Joseph Central took 4th in the 5A Small Division at regionals, and for those on the team, it shows their resilience after a coaching change. Last year's program head, Callie Farrell, was recently appointed Central High School Athletic Director.
Team members can still see Farrell; however, they feel they're in great hands with new cheer coach Abbie Ball.
"Everything is still all the same; the integrity of the program is still all the same," Senior team member Jacey Collins shared about new coach Abbie Ball. "We still hold the same standards. There's no leniency just because of the coaching change. But I think everybody's adapting to it pretty well. We all love Abbie because she was here last year too, so it's awesome."
Also featured at Central's showcase was Savannah High School, which placed 1st in their 3A Large Division. Like many teams that will spend more time with their teammates than others throughout the season, they attribute their success to the family atmosphere.
"Being there for each other really contributes to success on this team. We're all like super close, like we're basically all sisters," Senior Savannah Cheer member Kamryn Simpson said. "We're with each other all the time. So we know, like, if one person is in a bad mood, it's going to ruin everything. Like, and we're always there to support each other."
Being under the same roof throughout the school day usually helps build camaraderie. Nevertheless, for teams like Wildcard cheer, the bond is real when they bring the spirit to the sidelines for the co-op teams of Osborn-Stewartsville.
"The communities have really bonded well after we were rivals for a long time," Elaina Downs, Osborn-Stewartsville Cheer member, shared. "But with both schools, it brings us a bigger community, so it brings more support."
She and her team placed 5th in the 1A Large Division.
All four teams will head to the state competition at the University of Missouri this weekend. The top 5 finishers in each division automatically qualify for the state competition.
To follow along with all teams attending state this weekend, click here.
