The Jackson-Milton Cheerleading squad has been preparing for competitions since July. It took them a couple hours to learn a 2:27 dance with a floor cheer and a chant. There are tumbling and  jump combinations. They have already done two unofficial competitions, Canfield Fair and Pink Ribbon.

They did do one official competition so far and that was Kennywood’s Cheerleading Day, out of their division the Jackson-Milton Cheerleaders received 3rd Place. Their next competition was January 22, 2017 at West Branch. They had a week prior to this competition to learn a whole new floor cheer, chant, and dance. They only had three practices that were held for 2 and a half hours to learn everything new. Along with learning all of the new material, they had to still cheer at the boys basketball games. The week before competition was a very busy week. They had practices Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday Morning. They also have games Friday and Saturday night and will practice their routine then and show what they have been working very hard for at the half times for boys basketball game.

On January 22 they will be competing against LaBrae and Cardinal. They all met up at the High School around 8 a.m. to get ready all together. Coach Megan and Coach Grace did all of their hair and makeup so that they all matched each other. The competition started around 11.

The Jackson-Milton Junior High went before high school and got second out of their division. The Junior High group includes Kailey Sarver, Emma Burnside, Karli Dillinger, and Sarah Rader. Their performance was phenomenal with only having four girls.

Then the high school did their performance after junior high and Coach Megan said, “That was amazing, phenomenal job, you guys killed it!” They all thought that they did an amazing job and were hoping for the big win. They then had awards and the Cheer Time Athletics Staff had the groups stand up when they were calling out awards. When it was time for the girls to stand up they all held hands in a circle.

“Third place goes to Cardinal.. Second goes to LaBrae…First place goes to Jackson-Milton High.” Everybody was screaming and was jumping around. Then they went on announcing the all-around best teams. They were not expecting this result.

They got Grand Champion out of every school that was there! It was the most exciting moment ever, they did an amazing job and can not wait for the next competition.

Their next competition was the North East Ohio Cheer Championships at Warren G Harding on February 19. There were a total of six teams that our Jackson-Milton High School Cheerleaders were against. They were up against Glenville High School, Newton Falls High School, Cardinal High School, Windham High School, East Palestine High School, and Newbury High School. The girls took first place out these six teams.

Even though the ladies hit a rough patch from losing three girls, they were still able to stay on top. The results were Jackson-Milton (first), Glenville (second), and Newton Falls (third).  The girls not only got first, but they were 10 points above Glenville and 20 above Newton Falls. They were also only 5 points away from Grand-champion against 15 teams, but they were not eligible to get Grand or Series Champion due to not attending three of the competitions. Coach Megan and Coach Grace are very proud of the girls and couldn’t have wanted another team this year.