MP cheer team claims third-place state finish

The Mt. Pleasant High School Competition Cheer Squad completed its fall season last weekend at the Iowa State Cheer Championships, competing against 3A and 4A schools.

The cheer/dance squad scored a second place finish, but ended up taking home a third-place finish due to a sign deduction.

Two stunt teams placed in the largest competiton category: a fourth-place trophy went to Shelby Gillis, Chelsey Stark, Sarah Robb, Gabriela Moreira and Leslie Taylor, who competed a second time in the finals, and a 10th-place finish went to Katherine Hall, Morgan Barton, Hailie Baccam, Jenny Miller and Jayde Mumme. They competed against 35 teams, 29 of which were from 4A schools.

This year, a sideline team was created, and that team scored sixth in a 4A category also.

Throughout the season, the squad also took home first-place trophies at the Westdale Mall Spirit Competition in Cedar Rapids, again at the Cheer for A Cause Competition at Southeast Polk and at The Triton Challenge at Iowa Central in Ft. Dodge as well. At the Triton Challenge, the team was also given the Judges? Choice Award and two stunt team trophies.

In addition to competing and cheering for games, the girls have conducted a four-week Little Girls Panther Cheer Clinic and contributed to various community service activities, such as Relay for Life, the Harlan School Fall Festival and the Heatilator Annual Picnic.

Seven of the girls have also be named Academic All-District.

The Mt. Pleasant cheerleaders are coached by Tracey Shull.