Runner-up return

INDIANAPOLIS — It had been eight years since the Patriots had competed at the state fair.

Plenty has changed since 2015. The result did not.

Jay County High School’s cheerleading squad made its return Saturday to the Indiana State Fair competition with a second-place finish.

“That was the best routine,” said Patriot senior Cash Hollowell. The Patriots were also second in 2015 and have been in the top three in each of the last dozen state fair contests in which they have competed.  “They put it all on the mat. They can’t go back and say, ‘Oh, I wish I could have done this.’ They tried their hardest. We put all our effort into this mat today.

“This is our first time back in a while. And then being (in second place) just feels so good.”

Jay County’s junior high squad finished in fourth place.

Jay County Junior High School’s cheerleading squad, led by Brenna Ruble (front) cheers Saturday during their performance at the Indiana State Fair. The squad went on to finish in fourth place. Cheering along with Ruble, from left, are Audrey Hambrock, Emery Forthofer, Ashlynn Brunswick and Lexi Schoenlein. (The Commercial Review/Ray Cooney)

 

The JCHS varsity squad was solidly in second place with 189.1 points out of the possible 240 in the large varsity no music division. They finished more than 10 points ahead of third-place Decatur Central (178.2) in the field of four while North Central of Indianapolis claimed first with 203.9.

“They did well,” said JCHS coach Lindsey Peterson. “I think they’re happy with it. I really wasn’t sure what to think until after we watched everyone (perform).

“I told them they should be happy with whatever the placement was, because they truly did make a lot of progress and they did well today.”

Jay County’s junior high squad scored 182 points for fourth out of six. It was ahead of Mount Vernon by 1.7 points and Daleville. Cascade won the championship with 207.4 ahead of Fall Creek (202.7) and Tri-West (199).

“It went really well,” said junior high coach Brea McClain. “We met our three goals, which was to go out, have fun, work as a team, and smile.”

Jay County’s varsity scored the best across the board for motions – technique/execution, getting 8.9, 8.6 and 8.4 out of a possible 10 on the scoresheets. The group also earned high marks from all three judges for crowd appeal/creativity/vocal cheer.

The Patriots made their return to the state fair for the first time since 2016 — the competition was canceled after several stops and starts because of rain and lightning. Peterson said the push to go back came from the younger cheerleaders, who had been to the state fair in junior high.

Faith Faulkner of the Jay County High School cheerleading squad hits a pose Saturday during the competition at the Indiana State Fair. (The Commercial Review/Ray Cooney)

 

“Last year was kind of rough for us,” said sophomore Faith Faulkner, who was on the junior high squad that placed second in 2021. “And I feel like working over the summer for a competition just helps us achieve way more of our goals. And we got a lot better. We’re a lot better right now than we were at the end of last season.

“It’s been challenging, but it’s been really good. We’ve gotten closer as a team and gotten better. I think we’ve gone further than we thought we would.”

Jay County’s junior high squad scored mostly in the mid-to-high 7s in each category, but earned a 9.1 from one judge for crowd appeal/creativity/vocal cheer. That was the group’s best category overall as it earned a 7.8 and a 7.4 from the other judges.

“They had a lot of energy today,” said McClain. “We were working together. …

“Everything stayed up and everything looked solid.”