The Columbus Signature Academy — Lincoln Huskies cheerleading squad took top honors at the 20th anniversary of the Elementary Basketball League Super Saturday cheer competition, their first win since 2013.
“I had high hopes we were going to win,” said sixth grade Lincoln cheerleader Sadie Harris. “And we brought it home!”
“We did put a lot of work into this,” said fifth grade Lincoln cheerleader Abilene Rust. “But to be honest, I did not expect we were going to win.”
Right behind the Huskies were the Southside Mustangs in second place, followed by the Schmitt Rockets who took third place honors.
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After being postponed by winter storms over two consecutive Saturdays, the 11-school cheerleading competition was rescheduled for a third time and held Thursday at the Columbus North gymnasium.
A large section of bleachers reserved for parents and family was nearly full in the gym at the event that usually attracts about 2,000 spectators and fans.
The event is normally held on a Saturday but competition coordinator Barb Feltner said the teams are used to performing during early evening basketball games on school nights, so the timing of this year’s event should not have been unusual.
Each of the 11 cheerleading teams turned up the energy when they took to the floor to perform their competitive routines.
One of the event’s major goals is to make each girl feel she’s appreciated for the hard work she’s done as a cheerleader — and to encourage her to have some fun, Feltner said.
The competition did have some rules, including asking spectators to remember to be sensitive and display encouragement, and that while first, second and third place is announced, every other team is given a fourth place finish. Tumbling and builds are limited for safety reasons, although simple jumps, front rolls and cartwheels are encouraged.
Mt. Healthy cheerleaders successfully performed a number of complicated maneuvers usually reserved for older cheerleaders that drew some of the loudest cheers and applause.
Lincoln co-coach Hannah Moore says she saw a lot of hard work and dedication from the cheerleading squad during their three days of practice each week.
Learning cheers and routines isn’t the most important aspect of this event, Moore said. Instead, it’s the willingness to never give up and do your best while competing against others that is most important.
“That boosts their confidence and shows them they can do whatever they set their minds to do,” Moore said.
One of the traditions of the event is for parents to display pride in their child’s school by dressing up in wild outfits, often accessorized with glasses, headgear and face paint.
Jonnette Robinson was one of six supporters of the Southside Mustangs decked out with “Go Green” party hats in the front row.
Robinson said the group wore the hats to show support to all the young girls they were supporting. For her, it was her granddaughter, Southside sixth-grade cheerleader Anna Robinson.
“But these also let everyone know we’re a bunch of fun people,” Jonnette Robinson said.
One of the most elaborately-dressed fans was Steve Allman, who came to support his niece, Lila Fox, a fifth-grader with the Mt. Healthy Eagles squad.
Allman’s attire included glitter hair, oversized Elton John-style sunglasses, a shirt partially-displaying an American flag and fuzzy legwarmers.
While Allman said he wanted to make sure his niece knew he was there to support her, he didn’t think he would be able to get her attention by shouting across a crowded gymnasium.
“So I figured: If I can’t be loud enough with my voice, at least my outfit should be loud enough for her to see me,” Allman said.
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Three students from each of the 11 competing elementary schools were chosen to receive the seventh annual "Above and Beyond" award.
The plaques are presented to student-athletes who exemplify the spirit of the competition for their leadership and sportsmanship in their daily lives, in the classroom, on the court and in the community.
Clifty Creek Cougars: Conner Fitzsimmons, Rahianna Logan, Monica Santana.
Fodrea Falcons: Nathan Enneking, Danielle Griffith, Sydney Root.
Lincoln Huskies: Flint Santi DeLuna, Eleanor Schlaudroff, Sierra Battin.
Mt. Healthy Eagles: Sam Mormino, Lyla Sullivan, Cami Kleffman.
Parkside Pirates: Andrew Qin, Grace LaSell, Rebekah Woodruff.
Richards Raiders: Alex Wenzler, Anabell Hunter, Allie Long.
Rockcreek Bulldogs: Zachary Glick, Caitlin Schuette, Genea Martoccia.
Schmitt Rockets: Rylan Londeree, Lilian Priest, Raegan Davis.
Smith Sonics: Deacon Sims, Anna Halstead, Emma Abner.
Southside Mustangs: Hank Lin, Kennedy Horn, Lindsey Hartwell.
Taylorsville Bears: Joseph Fry, Regina Holguin, Lilly Hollist.
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By year, the 10 most-recent winners of the Elementary Basketball League cheer competition:
2019: CSA-Lincoln
2018: Richards
2017: Parkside
2016: Richards
2015: Parkside
2014: Parkside
2013: CSA-Lincoln
2012: Southside
2011: Schmitt
2010: Parkside
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