Just as any other sport in West Virginia, High School Cheerleaders held long practices during the fall, showed their efforts during football games, and prepared for their post season. Both Tyler Consolidated and Paden City High School varsity cheerleaders competed at the Region I Cheerleading Championships at Wheeling Park High School on Dec. 6, their post season.

The Silver Knights division, Class AA, began their competition at 6 p.m. competing against squads from Oak Glen, Magnolia, Pt. Pleasant, Ravenswood, Ritchie County, Roane County, and Weir.

The Knights placed third overall in the Class AA competition, just behind the Weir Red Riders who took second. The Magnolia Blue Eagle cheerleaders placed first overall in the division.

“The top two teams go to state, so receiving third place with only six girls was quite an accomplishment for us,” said Stefanie Starcher, head cheerleading coach at Consolidated. “Sue (Skinner) and I are very proud of them. They hit a very solid and clean routine.”

Oak Glen placed fourth, followed by Roane, and Ritchie County.

The Lady Knights will travel to Roane County on Nov. 18 to compete in the LKC Cheering Competition.

Members of Tyler Consolidated’s cheerleading squad include: Lydia Hickman, Shelby Kelley, Alaina McCoy, Asia Richmond, Alex Bubenchick, and Kali Mead.

Paden City’s squad competed in the Class A division earlier in the day competing against squads from Bishop Donahue, Calhoun, Cameron, Gilmer, Hundred, Madonna, St. Marys, Valley, and Wheeling Central Catholic.

The Lady ‘Cats finished in fifth place in their division behind Wheeling Central, Bishop, Madonaa and St. Marys, defeating Cameron, Valley and Calhoun County.

Members of the Wildcat squad are pictured below (not in order): Bethany Arnett, Katie Kline, Megan Barker, Taylor Parsons, Dominique Craft, Kelsey Loy, Megan Cutlip, Tiffany Palmer, Josie Fox, Lynah Stanley, Morgan Goddard. The squad is coached by Rachel Stoneking and Jennifer Forrest.

“Our girls were very busy that day,” Stoneking said. “I?was very proud of them for staying focused.”

The Class AAA competition champion was Brooke, followed by East Fairmont.

The top two teams in each division will compete in the West Virginia State Cheerleading Championships in Charleston on Dec. 11.