MADISON- Several local cheer squads have qualified for the AHSAA State Championships through recent competition at the North Regional held at the Von Bran Center in Huntsville’s Concert Hall before a small COVID controlled crowd. Leading the way for the local teams was Sparkman which won both the Class 7A Game Day and Co-Ed Traditional Divisions along with the JV Co-Ed event.

The Sparkman Senators program, which has won two World Championships and 13 National Championships to go along with a bevy of State and Regional titles, are led by longtime head coach Lisa Aderholt, who has looked at her four seniors to lead the squad in its quest for another state trophy.

“Those are four strong leaders with two males and two females they motivate the team,” said Aderholt. “These four leaders have been especially supportive during this challenging COVID time.”

The four seniors are Laura Damewood, Hayden Ottum, Mya Weber and Tyler Vickery. They support eight juniors, five sophomores and three freshman, which make up the 2020-2021 roster of Senators.

Additional local squads who have qualified for the State Championships included Varsity 7A- Bob Jones, James Clemens; 7A Game Day- Sparkman, Bob Jones, James Clemens; JV Co-Ed- Sparkman; Small Jr. High- Discovery, Liberty, Monrovia; JV Game Day- Sparkman.

Bob Jones took the first place trophy in 7A Varsity Traditional while James Clemens was runner-up. In 7A Game Day, with Sparkman the winner, James Clemens was second and Bob Jones was fourth. The Senators took first place in the JV Co-Ed and was second in the JV Game Day division. In the Small Jr. High division, the Discovery Panthers came out of the competition as champs taking first place followed by Liberty in second and Monrovia in third place.

“I feel we have a very talented group of student-athletes and stronger than last year’s squad,” added Aderholt of her 20-member team. “We have three boys back from last year’s squad and they give us a solid foundation to build on. I’m confident going into the state competition, but with what’s going on with COVID you have to hold your breath just to see if the event will be held.”

The State Championships will be held Dec. 12 at Wallace State Community College in Hanceville. The event is open to public with COVID-19 restrictions set in place.