HANCEVILLE- James Clemens and Sparkman High Schools along with Liberty Middle School each won a state championship at the 2019 AHSAA State Cheer Competition held at Wallace State Community College in Hanceville.

“Prove, is the one word that describes our performance as these girls proved just how good they are as the most talented Class 7A squad in the state,” said Hannah Stockman head coach of James Clemens of her 29-member squad.

The Jets of James Clemens took home the state title trophy in the 7A Traditional Division with a point total in scoring of 84.20. The Bob Jones Patriots came in third place with a 77.10 total. James Clemens (96.30) also took second place in the 6-7A Game Day Division behind Buckhorn (97.30).

Two-time defending UCA National Champion Sparkman High won both the Varsity and JV Co-Ed Divisions for the 29^th consecutive year. The Senators racked up 91.20 points to far outdistance runner-up Tuscaloosa County which posted 78.20 points in the varsity competition and 79.20 points in the JV division over second place Gaylesville, which had 62.80 points.

In Junior High competitions, the Liberty Lions came on strong to edge out cross-town rival Discovery 85.40 to 83.80 to win the Small Junior High trophy. Monrovia was fifth with 70.45 points. Liberty was awarded the runner-up trophy in the Junior High Game Day Division scoring 94 points to champion Opp Middle School which posted 96.40 points. The Sparkman Middle School squad placed third in the Large Junior High Division with 76.60 points to winner Athens, which scored 84.50.

“What I believe stuck out to the judges of the competition was how over-the-top our routine was and its visual appeal,” added Stockman. “We had the highest difficulty routine than other schools in our division. We worked hard. Our performance proved how physical and extensive the routine was unlike the others.”

Sparkman continued its winning ways behind head coach Lisa Aderholt who looked to only four seniors of her varsity squad. The JV squad was led by head coach Kaitlin Longino.

For Liberty, head coach Sara Tolleson said of her 20-member squad, which won their two trophies for the second straight year, “They were devoted to this and just to see them bring home a title is an incredible feeling.”

The Lions worked extremely hard to perfect their skills needed to excel at championship levels.

“The difference in our squad is the fact these girls don’t give up,” said Tolleson. “They work together as a team to perfection.”

Each of the local squads are expected to attend the UCA 2020 World Championships scheduled to be held in Orlando, Fla., Feb. 7-9.

The rosters of the four winning squads include: James Clemens- Kenze Achenbach, Ashley Ahrens, Charlotte Bigelow, Kalyn Boley, Alaina Boyer, Sidnie Brown, Madisyn Burgess, Kate Byrne, Alex Corn, Paris Dryer, Hannah Dumas, Haliey Fronckowiak, Shayla Hawkins, Avery Jones, Emma Koerlin, Manie McDonald, Perri McMahan, Isabella Opiniano, Kiersten Ratcliff, Samantha Rhodes, Gabbie Russell, Katie Russell, Mandi Russell, Sarah Spickard, Ella Thomas, Emily Tieszien, Alex Vaughn, Alexis Wayne and Shelby Williams.

Sparkman- Amari Burton, Raven Carter, Libby McVay, LaTana Sparrow, Laura Damewood, Hayden Ottum, Tyler Vickery, Mya Weber, Jacob Bannerman, Quinton Billups, Sydney Carter, Jamiyah Dozier, Jada Gibson, Teleyah Hester, Grace Anne Ingram, Chloe Jackson, Senna Roberts, Emma Cobb, Aamirah Hayes, Vanessa Salaam and Payton Wikoff.

Sparkman JV- Melissa Bradford, Jordan Clemmons, Eve Weber, Jacob Bannerman, Samara Brown, Rylee Bryson, Bree Crutcher, Nicole Gonzalez, Janiyah Murray, Allie Ocampo, Grace Pouliot, Josie Shallbetter, Sophie Shull, Lizzy Wilson, Hannah-Mae Burnette, Malia Chitwood, Mallory Gibson, Erin Lindsey, Jordan Moore and Tyler Weber.

Liberty- Kathryn Bennefield, Hannah Bruce, De’Nazia Davison, Mary Kate Heusal, Laureen Hewell, Maddie Hicks, Julia Ingalls, Emma Jones, Amelia Koerlin, Brianna Lyons, Caitlin McGuire, Ashlyn Newberry, Mackenzie Payne, Domunique Ramirez, Sydney Snodgrass, Malikah Stowe, Haley Swafford, Alyssa Tucker, Kaylee Tucker, and Parker Wrobel.