The 18th Annual OVAC Cheering Competition will be held on Saturday, Feb. 7 at the WesBanco Arena. There will be 33 schools competing in four divisions.

The competition begins at 9:30 a.m. with Single A followed by AA and then Awards. The afternoon session will begin at approximately 12:45 p.m. with AAA followed by AAAA and awards. Admission is $6 for adults and $4 for students.

The following squads will compete this year in the following order – A(7): Madonna, Paden City, Bishop Donahue, St. Johns,Valley, Toronto and Bridgeport.

In AA, seven cheerleading squads also check in for the division. They are Shadyside, Wheeling Central, Linsly, Monroe Central, River, Catholic Central and Shenandoah will battle for the crown.

In AAA nine schools fill the division. They are Magnolia, Martins Ferry, Harrison Central, Tyler Consolidated, Bellaire, St. Clairsville, Barnesville, Union Local and Oak Glen.

In AAAA, 10 schools will compete. They are Indian Creek, Edison, Weir, East Liverpool, Brooke, Steubenville, John Marshall, Zanesville, Buckeye Local and Wheeling Park.

The defending champions are Toronto in Class A, Monroe Central in Class AA, St. Clairsville in Class AAA and Brooke in Class AAAA.