Central and Scio took home the coveted trophies at the OSAA cheerleading state championships held at Oregon City High School on Feb. 11.
For the first time, the state tournament debuted the Game Day Division, allowing sideline cheerleading to have a chance at a state title.
Teams were judged on band dance, situational chant, crowd-leading cheer and fight song.
Central and Thurston were co-champion in the 6A/5A coed category with 124.50 points.
“Tying with Thurston is an honor, they are a (11-time) state championship winning program and to even be competitive with them is an honor,” said Megan Smith, who completed her eighth year as the Central head cheer coach.
“People ask me what does it mean — because I grew up a Panther — to bring that (title) back to our school? It’s probably one of the most difficult questions to answer because it’s hard to quantify. Cheerleading is a sport that is undervalued and dismissed everywhere.
“Not only do I take enormous pride in bringing home a state championship to my alma mater but to bringing home that pride for my kids in my program and giving them that validation of what they do matters.”
West Salem placed fifth in the same category with 104 points.
Scio was crowned the state champion in the 4A/3A/2A/1A coed category with 111 points. Westside Christian came in second with a total score of 105.50 points and Creswell placed third with 102.50.
“Being able to choreograph our competition routine, coach the team and then celebrate a victory was a considerable success for year one,” Scio’s first-year head cheer coach Jordan Carlson said in an email.
“Scio High School’s routine had the crowd yelling for the LO-GG-ER-S and the ORANGE and BLACK! I was thrilled with the polished and spirited routine this dedicated team performed.”
These were the first state titles in program history for Central and Scio.
Edith Noriega is a sports reporter for The Register-Guard and Statesman Journal in Salem. You may reach her at ENoriega@salem.gannett.com and follow her on Twitter at @Noriega_Edith.
