State spirit: Seven champions crowned in All-Girl and Co-Ed Cheer
COLORADO SPRINGS — The trophy tables at the 2021-22 state spirit championships got a little less crowded when seven more titles were won on Friday at The Broadmoor World Arena.
Competing on the second day were the 2A/3A, 4A and 5A Co-Ed Cheer divisions, as well as the 2A, 3A, 4A and 5A All-Girl Cheer competitions.
4A & 5A All-Girl Cheer
The Erie spirit squad tightened its stranglehold on the Class 4A All-Girl Cheer title on Friday, as the Tigers captured their fourth straight trophy in dominating fashion, scoring a 91.45 in the finals. They are also the defending pom champions, while also winning the 2007 2A/3A Co-Ed title.
“I think we just had a lot to prove this year,” Erie head coach Nora Roth said. “The more you win, the more you have a target on your back. I let the girls know it’s their day, they get to decide who comes away with the trophy, and they definitely showed up.”
Elsewhere in 4A, Lewis-Palmer took its second-straight runner-up finish with an 84.1, while Roosevelt took third with a 79.25.
In Class 5A, 2019 champion Eaglecrest stood back atop the state championships’ final standings with a score of 90.375 to claim a victory that moved the Raptors to the top of another distinguished list. With their program’s 12th title securely in hand, the Raptors left the World Arena tied with Grandview and Ponderosa for most overall spirit titles all time.
The Grandview Wolves, who last won All-Girl Cheer in 2018, turned in an outstanding finals performance to score an 89.55 and finish runner-up after entering with the seventh-best preliminary score. Defending champion Douglas County was third with a score of 88.675.
2A & 3A All-Girl Cheer
It has been a bit of a wait, but the Denver Christian spirit squad is back on top of All-Girl Cheer for the first time since the Thunder won in Class 3A back in 2000.
On Friday night at The Broadmoor World Arena, the Thunder scored an 81.15 in the finals to claim the Class 2A state championship.
Front Range Christian, which was going for its third straight title and fifth overall, took second place with a score of 73.75. Holyoke placed third with a score of 73.35.
In Class 3A, Prospect Ridge continued to show well at the state championships. The Miners ran away from the competition to win the title with a score of 77.85. The Miners also won in 2019 and were runners-up last season.
Woodland Park was runner-up with a 72.75 and James Irwin, the 2019 runner-up, was third with a 71.85.
2A/3A, 4A & 5A Co-Ed Cheer
This year’s Co-Ed team titles were all about streaks, as all three winning teams won at least their second title in a row.
In 2A/3A, Coal Ridge took home its fourth-straight title with a winning score of 87.6. Behind the Titans were Bayfield with a 73.2 and DSST: Byers with a 66.85.
“It’s our four-peat this year, and just seeing everyone putting in all of the hard work in practice, it’s just so much effort every day and five days a week, and to see it all pay off and see my friends get their four-peat, it’s so rewarding,” Coal Ridge senior Natalie Smythe said.
In 4A, Thompson Valley captured its third-straight title, running away from the competition with an 82.05. Runner-up went to Grand Junction Central with a 69.85, followed by Falcon with a 65.775. The World Arena has been kind to the Eagles, as the girls volleyball team won a state title on the very same floor just a few weeks earlier.
In 5A, Castle View won back-to-back championships in narrow fashion with an 86.525, edging out Vista Ridge who had an 82.925. Third in the classification was Pueblo West with a 75.6. It was the sixth overall title for the Sabercats after they won four straight from 2014-17.
“We had challenges coming back after the season last year, we had some bumps in the road like everyone else,” Castle View head coach Christina Montoya stated. “At the end of the day, the kids banded together and prevailed.”
