When words and phrases such as fly away twists, up and over’s, flyers, spotters, stunts and bases begin littering conversations, it can mean only one thing – a cheerleading competition is close. High School cheerleaders all over the state are putting the final touches on their routines this week as they prepare for the upcoming Regional competitions. The two local high school cheerleading teams at Tyler Consolidated and Paden City will both be competing in Fairmont on Saturday, each hoping to gain a spot in the top two of their prospective divisions in order to make the trip to the State competition.

Tyler Consolidated’s head cheerleading coach, Merritt Grimes said, “We’re going to do our best. We have one of the toughest Region’s in the state, and one of the toughest classes. All of the teams are good.”

The Silver Knight cheerleaders will perform in the Class AA division against Oak Glen, Magnolia, Roane County, Pt. Pleasant, Ravenswood, Ritchie County and Weir.

Members of the Consolidated team are: Maika McIntyre, Kaitie Smith, Lydia Hickman, Shelby Kelley, Alaina McCoy, Brooke Clegg, Karlie Hilpert, Randy Taylor, Jessica Fiber and Asia Richmond.

Paden City’s Wildcat cheerleaders will compete against nine other schools in the Class A division which include: Valley, Madonna, Calhoun County, Hundred, St. Marys, Gilmer, Cameron, Bishop Donahue and Wheeling Central Catholic.

“The girls have been working very hard since August,” said coaches Rachel Stoneking and Jennifer Brooks. “We hope to prove to our town that we can go great things.”

Representing Paden City at the competition will be: Stephanie West, Amanda Tallman, Megan Lasure, Haley Fox, Sydney Frye, Tiffany Blatt, Katie Kline, Bethany Arnett, Dominique Craft, Taylor Parsons, Lynnsie Parsons, Megan Cutlip, Tiffany Palmer and Kelsey Loy.

The first and second place teams in each division at the Regional will be afforded the opportunity to compete at the West Virginia State Cheerleading Championships at the Charleston Civic Center on Dec. 12.