Local Spirit Squads Take State Crowns

Monday, January 14, 2013

— ‘Back-to-back’ was the theme for three local spirit squads at the State Cheer Championships this year.

Bentonville and Elkins each won a second consecutive state cheer title in their respective division at this year’s state cheer championship, while Fayetteville won its second-straight all-girls division crown and third state cheerleading crown in a row overall at the Summit Arena in Hot Springs on Dec. 15.

Bentonville took the crown in the 5A-7A Co-Ed division for the second consecutive year, while Fayetteville was named winner’s of the 7A All-girl division for a second consecutive year.

"I have a big group of seniors and they were very committed and very talented. They were highly competitive. That seems to be a trait at Bentonville and our cheer teams are no different."

Tracy Kaufman

Bentonville spirit coach

“I am extremely proud of the hard work that this group of girls put in to become three time state champions,” Fayetteville cheerleading coach Angela McCutcheon said. “I was impressed with the way that they performed at the state level. I am even more proud of their performance outside of competitive cheerleading. They have excelled in academics, charity fundraising, and school leadership. This is a group of students that puts in 10 to 12 hours of cheer practice every week and in addition, loves to show their school spirit every Friday night at the football games.”

Bentonville scored 355.5 in the 5A-7A Co-Ed division, earning top scores from all four judges. The Tigers defeated runners-up Van Buren and Bryant by more than 20 points.

“I have a big group of seniors and they were very committed and very talented,” Bentonville spirit coach Tracy Kaufman said. “They were highly competitive. That’s seems to be a trait at Bentonville and our cheer teams are no different.”

Elkins’ second straight state cheerleading title came in the Class 3A all-girls division, as a 337 total score was good enough to edge out runner-up Camden Harmony Grove who finished with a 331.

Other local teams also fared well in runner-up appearances at state. Springdale High was second to Fayetteville in the 7A All-Girl division, and Farmington finished second in the Class 4A all-girl division.

Pea Ridge, a state champion last year, was second this year in the 1A-4A co-ed division.