August 23, 2019 at 12:20AM
LIMA — Cheerleading teams from all over the region gathered at the Allen County Fairgrounds on Wednesday night for the annual Cheerleading Competition.
Alex Davis, Bath High School senior and captain of the cheer team, was excited to perform before a supportive crowd.
"Our whole football team is coming, and knowing that we have all of these fans coming out really pumps us up knowing we have all of that support," Davis said.
Final results from the cheerleading competition weren't available at deadline.
The routines the teams prepared and executed differ greatly to what you might see on the sidelines of a football game on a Friday night.
"We actually have a dance-chant cheer, so normally when we're doing it on Friday nights, we only have chants. We're doing it on the sidelines, and we're watching the football game while we're doing it. This is really our time to show what we actually can do, so it's a lot different," said Davis.
Her teammate, Emily Vandemark, who is also a senior, was reflective on her last three years.
"I love it. I'm excited that this is my last season, bittersweet, excited to show everyone what we can do for our last season," Vandemark said.
Vandemark was confident going into the competition.
"We are three- or four-time winning spirit award winners, so we're hoping to win that again tonight, and of course first place. We worked really hard all summer," Vandemark said.
Spencerville's Abigail Schwartz was also ready for the competition, although her time in cheer is coming to a close.
"It's really sad, but it's also exciting to get to do it with all of my friends and everything. Great memories," said Schwartz.
So what gets her pumped up about the competition?
"Just seeing all of these teams walk in ready and just knowing that everyone is here supporting each other, and we're just going to leave it all on the mat and do our best," Schwartz said. "Seeing everybody up in these grandstands coming to watch, especially from your school and cheering you on — it's our time."
Trey Welsh, an eighth-grader cheering with Bath's junior varsity team, gets the crowd's attention during the annual cheerleading competition Wednesday night at the Allen County Fair.
Members of the Elida cheerleading squad celebrate after completing their routine Wednesday night.
Cheerleading competition brings out dozens of teams
Reach Sam Shriver at 567-242-0409.
LIMA — Cheerleading teams from all over the region gathered at the Allen County Fairgrounds on Wednesday night for the annual Cheerleading Competition.
Alex Davis, Bath High School senior and captain of the cheer team, was excited to perform before a supportive crowd.
"Our whole football team is coming, and knowing that we have all of these fans coming out really pumps us up knowing we have all of that support," Davis said.
Final results from the cheerleading competition weren't available at deadline.
The routines the teams prepared and executed differ greatly to what you might see on the sidelines of a football game on a Friday night.
"We actually have a dance-chant cheer, so normally when we're doing it on Friday nights, we only have chants. We're doing it on the sidelines, and we're watching the football game while we're doing it. This is really our time to show what we actually can do, so it's a lot different," said Davis.
Her teammate, Emily Vandemark, who is also a senior, was reflective on her last three years.
"I love it. I'm excited that this is my last season, bittersweet, excited to show everyone what we can do for our last season," Vandemark said.
Vandemark was confident going into the competition.
"We are three- or four-time winning spirit award winners, so we're hoping to win that again tonight, and of course first place. We worked really hard all summer," Vandemark said.
Spencerville's Abigail Schwartz was also ready for the competition, although her time in cheer is coming to a close.
"It's really sad, but it's also exciting to get to do it with all of my friends and everything. Great memories," said Schwartz.
So what gets her pumped up about the competition?
"Just seeing all of these teams walk in ready and just knowing that everyone is here supporting each other, and we're just going to leave it all on the mat and do our best," Schwartz said. "Seeing everybody up in these grandstands coming to watch, especially from your school and cheering you on — it's our time."
Trey Welsh, an eighth-grader cheering with Bath's junior varsity team, gets the crowd's attention during the annual cheerleading competition Wednesday night at the Allen County Fair.
Members of the Elida cheerleading squad celebrate after completing their routine Wednesday night.
Cheerleading competition brings out dozens of teams
Reach Sam Shriver at 567-242-0409.