Cheering Champions

Blackhawks cheerleaders win state title

Photograph submitted Pea Ridge Blackhawk cheerleaders won first place in state competition on Saturday, Dec. 20.
Photograph submitted Pea Ridge Blackhawk cheerleaders won first place in state competition on Saturday, Dec. 20.

Pea Ridge varsity Blackhawk cheerleaders won the Co-ed State championship for the second time in a row. The team won first place in competition Saturday, Dec. 20, in Hot Springs.

"This was the year of obstacles and change," head coach Melissa Meyers said. "We had late additions to the squad and many injuries to deal with.

"These kids wanted to be back to back state champs so bad -- they practiced early morning, evenings, and weekends in order to be ready. I was out on maternity leave the two weeks before state and couldn't have had them ready without help from Coach Casey Donson, Coach Courtney Hurst and Coach Jessica Woods. I know the cheerleaders are also grateful and thankful for these coaches. Our school has great way of pulling together to help each other out."

"This team is full of energy and determined athletes. I'm so proud of what they accomplished. They were able to overcome the odds stacked against them and perform!" Casey Donson said. "The hard work of these students and many coaches has shown the level of commitment of the entire community to Pea Ridge athletics."

Athletic director Tony Travis said: "We are extremely proud of our cheerleaders and their coaches. Back to back championships is an amazing accomplishment, they continue to make Pea Ridge proud at the local and state wide level."

Sports on 12/31/2014