POCATELLO — More than 600 high school and middle school cheerleaders took part in Cupid’s Cheer Challenge at Highland High School Saturday.

    The event, a prerequisite for district and then state competitions, attracted cheerleading squads from Eastern and Southeastern Idaho.

    Harrison Funk, 15, a cheerleader at American Falls High School, said the sport is both physically and mentally challenging and today’s cheer squad is most likely, co-ed.

    Funk, one of seven male members of the team, was competing for his first year in the second annual cheerleading competition hosted by Highland High School.

    “They said they needed some strength,” Funk said, “and I was all in.”

    American Falls cheerleading coach Hailey Giesbrecht said the teams’ male members improve the safety of stunts performed by the cheerleading squad.

    “I like the strength that the boys bring to the team,” she said.

    Giesbrecht has coached at American Falls for the past six years. The high school also has the distinction as being the only team that doubles as the drill team as well.

    To keep in shape for the competition, Funk said he lifts weights three times a week. He also plays on the school’s basketball, baseball and football teams.

    “Our kids do everything, Giesbrecht said.

    The Sugar-Salem cheerleading team has seven male members as well. Carson Hartley said he got involved through an older mentor.

    Sugar-Salem won also won state honors last year, but Hartley said there are other benefits to being on the cheerleading team.

    “We get to hang out with girls all the time. That’s a plus,” Hartley said.

    Team member Alex Irvin, 17, said the sport requires expertise in tumbling and gymnastics.

    Irvin said the judges looked for sharp, crisp and safe performances during Saturday’s event.

    Sugar-Salem teammate Averi Nichaelson, 17, added that the judges evaluate the team’s technique and presentation during each two and one-half minute routine.

    “We get tired, but it’s worth it,” Nichaelson said. “We took state last year.”

    Nichaelson has been involved in cheerleading for the past seven years.

    Highland cheerleader Allison Harumi said in addition to technical expertise the judges are also looking at each squad’s appearance.

    “You need to keep smiling and show yourself off,” Harumi said.

    Dustin Walker, a member of the Idaho State University cheer team, said he got involved in cheerleading as a senior in high school and as well as the opportunity to hang out with cheerleaders, the sport also earned him a scholarship to ISU.

    “It’s a good workout and a lot of fun,” Walker, of Jerome, said. “And I get to hang around with these ladies.”

    ISU teammate McCall Jacobson from Rexburg stood by during Saturday’s competition waiting for her turn to perform.

    Jacobson said she’s been involved in cheering for about seven years.

    Camille Clark volunteered during the Cupid Cheer Challenge Saturday. Her daughter, Trissy has been competing as a cheerleader for five years and is currently on the Highland team.

    Clark said the cost to be part of the school’s cheerleading squad was about $1,200 per year.

    But Clark said the teams do a number of fundraisers to help support the cheerleaders including children’s clinics, car washes and cookie dough sales.

    Highland’s coach Jessica Gallop said 28 middle and high schools took part in the event. Participants competed in the show, cheer, poms and sideline stunt categories.

    Gallop has been the cheerleading and dance coach at Highland for the past 10 years and she said the school has taken state honors for the past five years.

    Barry Dutton turned out to watch his daughter, Savanna, 15, compete Saturday.

    “We love it, and she loves it,” Dutton said. “She’s very competitive.