By JOSH FRYE
News Sportswriter
J.U. Blacksher’s varsity and junior varsity cheerleaders stacked up trophies and medals during the UCA Bama Cheerleading Camp, held July 22-25 at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa.
The United Cheerleading Association (UCA) hosted cheerleading squads from more than 30 schools in Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi and Florida during the camp, during which the girls were taught cheers, chants, stunts, as well as band and rally dances, from college cheerleaders and coaches.
Along with the classes and lesson sessions, the cheer squads were also given the opportunity to shine in friendly competition against one another in jump, cheer and dance, in individual and squad categories.
The girls were graded on a scale of 15 points and were required to score 12 points or more in order to qualify for a podium spot.
“We are very proud of the girls for the showing they were able to make,” head cheer coach Alyssa Ikner said. “We are proud of how the girls did and for how much they have grown. This is a great group of girls.”
The J.V. squad took second in gameday competition among medium junior high schools. JUB’s varsity squad took second-place honors in gameday for large high schools.
McKenzie Reid, the only Blacksher J.V. cheerleader to earn a spot on the podium in individual competition, took first-place honors in the junior high jump-off competition.
Senior Kenzi Sirmon and juniors Chloe Johnson, Emiliee Tuberville and Haley Gulsby were awarded Varsity All-American honors during the camp, while 8th-graders McKenzie Reid, Ainsley Risher and Kristen Lambert were awarded J.V. All-American honors.