After coming so close to being the 2020 MAIS State Champions in cheerleading, the Winona Christian varsity cheerleaders came home and perfected their techniques and routines. Their hard work paid off. Because last Wednesday at the Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson, the squad won the MAIS 4A state title.
Even more, the junior varsity cheerleaders, coached by Jeanne Howard, brought the title back home to Winona for the fourth year in a row!
Varsity cheer coach Hiliary O’Briant said the girls competed in the 2021 MAIS State Cheer Competition on Wednesday, Sept 22, and they were judged on their cheer, chant, stunt and jump. She said both squads participate each year, and this year, both brought home the top prize.
“The girls worked really hard. They’ve worked all summer to perfect their skills and grow as a team, and they made it happen,” she said.
O’Briant said as a special treat for the girls, Winona Christian students were in the stands while they cheered. The cheerleaders had their own cheering section.
“The school really supported and encouraged us,” she said. “It’s our job to cheer and lead on the crowd at all the sporting activities. To see how they supported us, cheered for us, and yelled as we yelled was really helpful.”
She said with the girls seeing familiar faces, they felt more at home and at ease.
