Bob Jones Competition Cheerleaders (Contributed)

MADISON- A season’s worth of hard work and practice paid off for the Bob Jones cheerleaders as the 12 member group won the Varsity 7A Division at the AHSAA Competition Cheerleader Championship on Saturday, November 15. The division included teams from Hoover, Spain Park, Vestavia Hills, Hazel Green, Hewitt-Trussville, and James Clemens.

The routine included sideline cheer, fight song, dance and stunting. They were judged on categories including spacing, sharpness of movement, crowd appeal, eye contact, voice inflection, and energy.

It is the second year in a row Bob Jones competition cheer has won their division.The group included three seniors, three juniors, three sophomores, and three freshmen.

“The state competition is the only competition where we go head-to-head with other 7A squads,” said BJ Cheer Sponsor Zoe Williams. “Everyone comes to win. The other squads certainly brought their A game and the competition was tight. It can be stressful and heart-breaking like any other sport.”

The squad faced a rebuilding year after graduating nine seniors from last year. Talented freshmen from Discovery Middle School brought three all-star cheerleaders including flyers Cassidy Locke and Shelby Wilson.

Williams depended on three returning seniors to provide leadership by example.

“Our seniors, Kaylee Rose, Ashleigh Croom, and Hannah Drury lead by encouraging and teaching proper techniques and offering assistance when stunts do not hit properly. They have led by example both on the sidelines and the mat.”

Seniors Ashleigh Croom, Kaylee Rose, and Hannah Drury
(Contributed)

The work isn’t over. The competition cheer team will travel to Orlando, FL Feb. 7 & 8 for the National High School Cheerleading Competition.

“This is the big one,” Williams said. “Bob Jones has won 5 National Championships and it’s time to do it again and this group of athletes with their determination can do it.”

One cheerleader, junior Abbi Sacco, fought through a sprained ankle that had her in a walking boot but she competed flawlessly in Regionals and State.

Discovery Middle won the Large Junior High division so for Williams and cheer coach Dan Herrod the future is bright.

“We have a talented JV team and Emily Parker is doing a great job at Discovery preparing the athletes to be competitive at the next level. We are looking forward to what the future holds for Bob Jones cheer,” Williams said.