BLACKFOOT — The Mountain View Middle School cheerleaders have emerged victorious after winning first place at the Cupid’s Cheer Challenge on Saturday, Jan. 18.

Cortney Leneham, cheer coach at Mountain View, said there are 25 girls on the team. Each of them worked hard and gave their best efforts during the competition.

“Cupid’s is one of our biggest competitions of the year,” Leneham said.

The competition is divided into three routines. The first routine is the show routine, which is a two-and-a-half minute involving tumbling, dancing, and music. Mountain View’s music stopped working partway through their performance, but they were still able to win first place.

“The girls started counting, and the crowd started counting with them,” Leneham said. “The music was fixed in the middle, and I was like ‘it’s a Hallmark moment.”

Another routine is the sideline routine, which is a shorter routine with basic stunting and no music. The third routine is pom, which is dancing with pom poms.

“They were champions at the end of that too,” Leneham said.

Leneham said it was amazing that her team was able to accomplish something they had worked so hard for. While they were preparing, there were points when some of the girls wanted to give up.

“I’m so proud of them and their hard work,” Leneham said. “They put their whole hearts into it, and I love what they’re doing.”

Leneham expressed gratitude for Ellie Fairchild, her assistant coach. She is the one responsible for putting together all the routines and she has an important role on the team.

“We would not be where we are without her,” Leneham said.