Jay varsity, EJMS take titles

INDIANAPOLIS — Jay County High School had five Indiana State Fair cheerleading championships to its name. But it had been 19 years since the Patriots’ last captured the big trophy.
It took a special group to break the drought.
“This is my sixth time, but this one was really special because I have such a large group of seniors and they’ve shown such positive leadership all summer,” said JCHS coach Mindy Weaver. “When you have those kind of kids you want it to come together.”
It did for the Patriots Saturday as they won the school’s first state fair cheerleading title since 1991. JCHS had been third each of the last two seasons, but finished ahead of runner-up Pendleton Heights, third-place Bishop Dwenger and defending champion Hamilton Southeastern this time around.
“To beat three of the top cheer programs in the state (was amazing),” said Weaver. “This was the most difficult routine I’ve ever put on the mat.”
East Jay gave the county a second title in the junior high division ahead of runner-up Mount Vernon. The Chiefs had been runners-up last season as well as in 2006 and 2004.
Jay County’s junior varsity squad finished third behind Mount Vernon and Ben Davis, and West Jay Middle School was eighth.
“Oh wow. All four squads, I think I can speak for everyone, performed even better Saturday (than during their preview performances Friday night),” said Weaver. “I think probably all four squads put their best routines on the mat Saturday, so that was exciting.”
Despite the championship drought, signs were there that the 2010 squad could be the one to bring the crown back to Jay County. Both the senior and junior classes won Indiana State Fair junior varsity titles as freshmen.
The overall athleticism of the varsity group allowed it to add difficulty, with most of the squad performing standing back tucks. The routine also included round-off back handspring tucks, and Weaver said she felt her squad performed near perfect jumps.
“The varsity, we were just almost perfect Saturday,” said Weaver. “Friday night our dismounts were a little off, and maybe we had a couple little tumbling things, and we just didn’t have any of that Saturday.
“It was the best performance of that routine all summer.”
The score sheets proved the point as the Patriots earned 29 out of a possible 30 points on jumps. They scored 27 out of a possible 30 on “perfection of routine” and saw their scores rise from previous years in degree of difficulty, partner stunts and tumbling.
“I just have such hard-working girls who get along, you want those squads to really be successful,” said Weaver. “We’ve just had a very nice summer.
“They understand the team concept. They’re truly a team.”[[In-content Ad]]