Optimists recognize JCMS state champion cheerleaders
The Wrens North Jefferson Optimist Club recently recognized the Jefferson County Middle School Cheer Team for winning the state cheer championship and qualifying to compete at nationals.
“We presented the team with a plaque and each cheerleader with individual medals,” said Michael Brown, local Optimist president. “We wanted these young people to know that their talent and dedication had not gone unnoticed and so we held a special ceremony to celebrate them and all they have accomplished.”
Coach Jeannetta Mayle said that the members of this team has balanced their grade with basketball season, football season and a tough competition season where they worked six days a week to prepare for their routines.
“I’ve seen them really put in a lot of hard work into the program. It isn’t something that people have traditionally seen as a sport, but they are changing that,” Mayle said. “With their hard work and dedication people are seeing their growth in the sport and the classroom as well. They take their academics just as seriously.”
The team competed 12 times this season, taking second place at the Heart of Georgia Classic at Washington County High School, first place at the Haunted Bash in Savanah and winning the state championship at the Nfinity Peach Classic in Atlanta.
The JCMS Warriors faced off against eight schools from across the state in the middle school large division.
The schools 18 cheerleaders, coached by Mayle and Hyquel Temple, performed a two-minute-and-30-second routine which includes tumbling, stunts and a dance. The routine includes basket tosses, fulldowns and pyramids.
Members of this year’s state championship squad are ZyMyria Tennyson, McKenzy Lovett, Shamireka McGruder, Joyce Thomas, Madison Heggs, Payten Ussery, Shantriece Hicks, Kamari Wynn, Malaya Thomas, Skylar Cunningham, Alayshia Boyd, Kariya Telfair, Alayshia Fields, Katilin Gibbons, Jamoria Barnes, Karmyn Drayton and Kamaria Vaughner.
This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Optimists recognize JCMS state champion cheerleaders
