Jay takes JV title (08/18/2008)

INDIANAPOLIS - Every member of the junior varsity squad is a freshman. But they showed no jitters on the big stage.

Jay County High School's junior varsity cheerleaders turned in a near-perfect performance Saturday to win the Indiana State Fair cheerleading competition.

"They were really excited," said JCHS coach Mindy Weaver of her JV squad. "We got this routine done early this summer, and it's just been getting better and better. They were pretty confident going in as far as being able to perform well."

The result was a performance that scored highly in execution, precision and perfection of routine.

Members of the championship squad are Darian Barnett, Jessi Chittum, Lyndee Evans, Krista Taylor, Nachelle Miller, Nikka Chaney, Morgan Link and Shelby Pryor. They finished first ahead of runner-up Mount Vernon.

It was the second straight JV championship for the Patriots.

The JCHS varsity squad also brought home a trophy with a third-place finish in the large varsity division. Varsity cheerleaders are Dannie Grant, Kyla Baldwin, Kari Hemmelgarn, Kami Hicks, Michelle Landfair, Rachel McKinley, Lexie Rowles, Kristen Selvey, Megan Taylor, Hannah Redwine, Mallory Poole, Jordan McMillan, Alysia Mann, Kyli Kelso, Erin Hunt, Ashley Caupp, Melynda Brackman and Kristen Ainsworth.

"I was happy with both performances, and the JV's was really," said Weaver "I can't think of anything we messed up. I'm happy for the girls. I'm happy for the program."

Bishop Dwenger pushed ahead of 2007 state fair champion Anderson Highland to win the large varsity division this year. Highland was the runner-up.

Weaver said she was especially happy with the varsity result because Dwenger and Highland were both impressive and the fourth-place squad - Mount Vernon - also had a very difficult routine. But it was Jay County's attention to detail that again vaulted it into the top three.

"Both squads scored very high in precision, execution, voice, showmanship," said Weaver. "That's our definite strength. We execute well and just are together.

"I was happy with both performances, and the JV's was really ... I can't think of anything we messed up. I'm happy for the girls. I'm happy for the program."

Weaver said while Friday's performances at the preview show at JCHS were outstanding, she felt her girls brought even a little more to the table in Indianapolis.

"Friday night we were really pleased with both performances, but you add the state fair crowd to it and there's just a little more energy," said Weaver. "When they performed Saturday they pulled out some more enthusiasm, spirit."

At the junior high level, East Jay was sixth and West Jay finished ninth. All four Jay County squads had placed in the top five each of the previous three seasons.

Eastside (Anderson) was first in the junior high division.[[In-content Ad]]