Greenup cheerleaders win national, world titles

Feb. 15—GREENUP — The winning tradition at Greenup County High School continues, as the cheerleaders arrive home with special honors.

The squad returned from the Universal Cheerleaders Association competition in Orlando early Thursday morning with its 17th national title and the world title — the first time the cheer team won both in the same year.

Greenup County High School Athletic Director Chelsea Delong has some insight into what the competition means to the cheerleaders.

"Honestly, they love winning, but winning nationals is what it's all about," Delong said. "We could win every year and it would never get old."

Based on the number of members, squads are classified by size; Greenup competed in the medium varsity division with 21 spots in the routine; 26 cheerleaders participated in the competition.

Delong said the squad's world competition was on Sunday; nationals competition required performances on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

The competition drew teams from Canada and Jamaica; however, those teams were not in the same division as Greenup, so Greenup vied for both titles against teams from the United States.

The competition was stiff. Delong said none of the nine teams in Greenup's division had a "deduction," or lost points for errors, noting the deciding factors were the quality of the routine and its execution.

While the team's national wins date to the late 1970s and early 1980s, a win each year has never a sure bet, Delong said.

"Having a break as second or third, it's just, oh my God, that's not who we are," she said. "When we get to 30 (national titles), it still won't be enough."

When it comes to cheering, Kentucky ups the game, Delong said.

"I learned from Ohio, cheering is nothing like it is in Kentucky," she said. "There's more support. It's just a different level of cheer. Other states have rules on what they can do because it's dangerous. When it comes to cheering in Kentucky, they can do pretty much anything they want and I think that's why they're so good, and that just takes them to another level."

Support from the school and community is crucial to success, Delong noted. The squad flew into Columbus late Wednesday and returned home to a parade to the school. A full day of visiting, appearances and celebration was planned for Thursday by volunteers from the community. The day was to be capped off by cheering at the boys' game in Lewis County.

The squad includes eight seniors: Kylie Warnock, Kaylee Swimm, Alaina Parton, Laryn McGuire, Thea Rice, Makenna Howard, Maddy Burns and Haylee Baldridge. Delong said the seniors have set an example for the other cheerleaders.

"They've been cheering since seventh and eighth grade and to be able to finish with this is a real testament to their leadership and the way they operate," she said. "Going into nationals it was hit or miss, they were stressed, but you would never have thought they didn't hit. They were ready to perform. With those seniors, that's where it starts."

(606) 326-2661 — lward@dailyindependent.com