CHEERLEADERS ‘ARE THE BAR’ — Brooke High School Cheerleaders were presented with rings Friday to commemorate their victory during the West Virginia Secondary Schools Activities Commission’s 2024 state cheering championship. Jeff Crook, superinendent of schools, commented to the group,“You didn’t just raise the bar. You are the bar.” -- Contributed

WELLSBURG — The Brooke High School Cheerleaders were presented rings commemorating their victory at the West Virginia Secondary Schools Activities Commission’s 2024 state cheering championship at a special program held Friday.

The presentation of the rings, which were provided by an anonymous donor, was preceded by the unveiling of a banner in the corridor of the high school’s wellness center identifying the squad among many athletes who have earned regional or state titles for the school.

Jason Williamson, Brooke High School’s athletic director, noted for their routine, the squad’s members earned a total score of 92.05, the highest of all of the squads from four classes that took part in the state competition on Dec. 14 in Charleston.

The top two squads from several regional competitions for each of four divisions based on school enrollment had advanced to the state event.

Routines presented there included separate segments for cheering and dance maneuvers and were rated by a panel of judges on tumbling, jumps and other stunts.

The squad’s members included seniors Lainey Horvath, Madison Rujak, Brielee Shaw, Olivia Snyder and Addison Stanley; juniors Cadance Devore, Ava Gatten, Ava Scherich and Lyla VanHorn; sophomore Marlee Ewusiak and freshmen Kayla Elson, Gabriella Hornick, Jaiden Lazear, Sophia Sacripanti, Addison Scherich, Raelin Stoll and Gianna Svokas.

Michelle Scherich, the cheerleaders’ head coach, applauded them for their teamwork.

“You lifted each other up, both literally and figuratively,” she said, noting the pyramids formed for their routines.

She and others recalled members of the squad working through injuries and challenges during the season in which they also won the Battle of the Mountaintop Cheer Competition held Nov. 2 in Philippi.

Scherich was aided by assistant coaches Trishann Sacripanti, Haley Bowman, Chrissy Elson, Chelsey Colley and Melissa Lyle.

The coaches acknowledged the work of the squad’s choreographers, Shane Sanders and Joshua Wolfe; and the support of the cheerleaders’ parents and family members.

It was noted it was the school’s 14th state cheering title.

Additional state cheering championships won during the years 1997, 1998, 2000 through 2008, 2011 and 2012.

Congratulations were conveyed by Emily Hostler and Meredith Stucin Young, who were on past state title-winning squads.

Head Principal Eric James said the group has “set the tone for all other athletic programs (at the school) moving forward.”

Superintendent of Schools Jeff Crook said in his 30 years in education, they are the hardest working group he has encountered.

“Kudos to you for your hard-as-nails approach to doing things,” he said, adding, “You didn’t just raise the bar. You are the bar.”

(Scott can be contacted at wscott@heraldstaronline.com.)