BLACKFOOT — The Blackfoot High School cheer team struck gold on all fronts in February as they won a national title for the first time in the program's history in addition to their second overall state title and third state academic title. 

Blackfoot head cheerleading coach Christa Stufflebeam says that the JAMZ Cheer National Competition was held in Las Vegas where they competed against five other teams in a level three stunt category and a level one tumbling category. One of those teams had been the national champions for four consecutive years prior. 

"We did not do great the first night," Stufflebeam said. "But we came back and we made some adjustments and changes and the girls were nearly perfect the second night and ended up winning." 

The Blackfoot cheerleaders secured the championship in the level three stunt category for their first-ever national title. Not long after nationals, the state championship was held in Boise where the Blackfoot squad was named the overall winner in the 5A classification.

"The state of Idaho is super competitive in cheer, especially Southeast Idaho," Stufflebeam said. 

Blackfoot's cheerleaders also won the academic state championship for the third time in a row with a cumulative GPA of 3.8. 

"They're a bunch of smarty-pants," Stufflebeam said about her team.

The atmosphere can be intense in the weeks leading up to the district cheer competition that determines a team's state eligibility. Blackfoot is part of District 6, which includes Shelley, Hillcrest, Bonneville, Idaho Falls and Skyline high schools.

Stufflebeam said it's the most competitive cheer district in the state. 

"Leading up to districts is very, very stressful," Stufflebeam said. "We know that's just a huge part of the battle just to qualify to get to state because of the talent amongst the teams in our district."

Blackfoot senior Ava Stufflebeam, a varsity captain of the cheer team and the coach's daughter, said that for her, the district competition is the most stressful of all. 

"We really grind those few weeks to perfect our routines," Ava said. "You make one little mistake (and) it can cost you going to state."

The term Ava's teammates like to use is "locked-in" to describe their commitment to remain focused and prepared to put everything they have out on the floor at competitions. 

Lexi George, another Blackfoot senior who's also a varsity cheer captain, says a typical week for the team consists of 15 hours of practice, not including nightly performances at Broncos basketball and football games. 

Cheer is nearly a year-long sport, starting at the end of April with tryouts and ending in March of the following year. There were 30 girls on Blackfoot's team this season.

The team has now won two state championships, the first one being in 2023. Last year they placed second.  

"This year we kind of coined it our 'redemption tour,'" George said. "We really wanted to get back on top and win again." 

Stufflebeam has been coaching Blackfoot's cheer team for around nine years and doesn't recall the team ever qualifying for state prior to that.

"We've been working and working and working and building and building," Stufflebeam said. "Every year we are able to level up and level up." 

The team hopes to defend their titles next season and continue to climb the ladder of cheerleading success.