The Highland High School cheerleading team won a national title and Century High School’s cheerleaders took home multiple trophies at the recent JAMZ National Cheer Competition in Las Vegas.
Highland totally dominated the competition, winning first place among varsity teams in its level, winning the overall championship for its level and winning the grand championship for the entire event.
The Highland cheerleading team issued this statement after winning the JAMZ national title: “We had the best time in Vegas! We could not be more grateful for our incredible coaching staff, their dedication to this team and the trust they’ve put in us. We are so thankful for everyone who showed us support as we competed. And even more thankful to our parents and all that they do for us!”
Jessica Gallup, the coach of the Highland cheerleaders, said her team of 24 girls had the highest score of any of the teams at the JAMZ competition.
“It was awesome,” Gallup said.
Gallup said she is proud of all the hard work her cheerleaders put in to succeed at the competition.
“This group is very young,” Gallup said. “Half of them are freshmen.”
This year was the second time the Highland cheerleaders went to the JAMZ National Cheer Competition. Last year they came in second place in their group.
Gallup hopes to participate in the competition next year with equal success.
“It would be awesome if we could keep doing it,” Gallup said. “It prepares them wonderfully for state cheer (at the end of February).”
The Highland cheerleaders received championship jackets for winning the JAMZ national title.
“Those are coveted jackets,” Gallup said. “I was so proud of them.”
Meagan Brockett, the coach of the Century cheerleaders, said her team won first place in the partner stunts division and the pom division at JAMZ. They also placed second in the sideline division and in the show division.
Century was the only team to place in all four of the competition’s categories. This was the first time Century has won national titles in partner stunts and pom.
“It was super exciting,” Brockett said. “It was a big deal. We didn’t know what we were up against.”
Brockett said she is especially proud of Century cheerleaders Cale Spanton, Haidyn Velasquez and Lilee Gutierrez who won first place in the partner stunts division.
“It was really cool to see those three trust themselves and trust their performance,” Brockett said.
Century sent 21 cheerleaders to the competition — one boy and 20 girls.
“I have nine freshmen on the team,” Brockett added. “We had some big shoes to fill from last year.”
Brockett expressed gratitude for the administration and staff at Century High School for supporting the cheerleading team. She also expressed gratitude for the friends and family of the cheerleaders for their support.
“They are the team behind the team,” Brockett said.