Host school and five other teams from Clark County qualified to compete
BATTLE GROUND — More than 60 schools and more than 80 performances will make for a loud, fun, chaotic environment Saturday at Battle Ground High School.
The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association is holding the state cheerleading championships in Clark County.
“There is a high degree of support for each team from all the teams. It’s a real strong bond between all kids who participate, and the coaches,” said Mike Colbrese, the executive director of the WIAA. “Because of that, it’s high energy, a lot of support for what everyone is doing. It’s a real fun event.”
It is special to host it, as well, according to Matt Stanfill, the athletic director at Battle Ground.
“First of all, it’s a great honor,” he said. “An amazing thing for our community.”
Colbrese said Battle Ground was selected to host this year for its facilities and “welcoming attitude” of the community and the school’s administration.
The championships begin at noon, with the first performance scheduled for 12:05 p.m.
Don’t blink, or you might miss your team.
A new performance will begin every five minutes per hour. That will be followed by a 10-minute break and another hour’s worth of performances, in five-minute windows.
Six squads from Clark County will compete.
“The cherry on top for us is that Battle Ground High School actually qualified,” Stanfill said. “They’re going to be able to compete at their own gym, which is exciting.”
Cheerleaders will compete in several categories and in several classifications. Union is the defending state champion in the Class 4A small category.
Local teams include:
- Heritage, in the “game day large” at 12:35 p.m.
- Evergreen, in the non-tumbling co-ed, at 3:40 p.m.
- Mountain View, in non-tumbling co-ed, at 4:20 p.m.
- Woodland, in non-tumbling medium, at 4:55 p.m.
- Union, in small at 6:50 p.m.
- Battle Ground, in co-ed, at 7:35 p.m.
There will be an exhibition by the University of Washington and Washington State University cheer squads at 5:45 p.m.
The march of teams and awards ceremony will be soon after the final performance, scheduled for 8:35 p.m.
With so many competitors and their families, expect traffic congestion around the high school as teams and supporters come and go throughout the day. Stanfill said he knows some fans who will be staying in Vancouver and will take a rideshare to the school.
The school was picked for its facilities, Stanfill said, which includes three gyms, allowing space for a warm-up area away from the main staging area.
Stanfill said he wanted to thank all the help Battle Ground will be getting this weekend, including local police, vendors, ASB students, ROTC students, and other volunteers.
