The 14-member GHS Varsity Competition Cheerleading Team proved this year that hard work and dedication really do pay off. For the first time in the 25-year history of the OASSA Cheerleading State Competition, the Blue Aces are Division II champions!
The state champion GHS Competition Cheer Team members are Grace Petryk, Melissa Murphy, Ava Kunar, Rachael SHomaker, Emma Naille, Riley Vrandenburg. Back row: Georgia Bain, Peyton Wells, Emily Stachler, Brooke Fuller, Jameson Torrence, Abigail Burkholder, Maria Law and Ellie Cubbison. The team coaches are Julie Hardesty, assisted by Rommey Stiteler.
The team started competing in October at the UCA Regionals, where they placed second and qualified for UCA Nationals. In December, the team placed first in their division at the Licking County Americheer Spirit Series and qualified for Americheer Nationals. Next, the Blue Aces became state champions in the OAC (Ohio Athletic Committee) Division A.
The Ohio State University Cheerleading Program holds a tough competition annually and GHS took first place, followed by qualifying for the state championship at Dublin Jerome on Feb. 3. At the National High School Cheerleading Championship in Orlando the Competition Cheer Team placed fifth in the nation. The OASSA State Competition at St. John’s Arena capped the season with the DII championship. Congratulations!