State cheerleading championships return to Battle Ground

WIAA-sponsored cheerleading event will be in Clark County in 2020 and 2021, as well as this weekend.

WIAA competition is Friday and Saturday at Battle Ground High School

Battle Ground is The Big Cheer now. That trial run at Battle Ground High School last year was such a success, the WIAA has made the school the place to be for cheerleading. The 2019 Washington Interscholastic Activities Association State Cheerleading Championships will be held Friday and Saturday at Battle Ground. “It’s an even that has so much energy,” said Matt Stanfill, Battle Ground’s athletic director. “When you think of cheer squads, that’s what they do. It’s energy. To bring all those people here, it is a fun day. It is a blast. It is a fun, entertaining day. “Good competition. Good athletes. It’s a fun thing to come watch.” The school hosted the event last year when it was a one-day showcase. It has now been expanded to two days. “That first year was to see how it worked out,” Stanfill said. “They liked it enough … they recommended to the board that we have it here.” The school and the WIAA agreed on a three-year contract, meaning the event will be in Clark County at least through 2021. Friday’s competition begins at 6 p.m., with 33 schools scheduled to compete. The championships resume at noon Saturday, with more than 70 schools set to perform. There are more than a dozen categories. That is a lot of controlled chaos, with teams and spectators going to and from the competition area. “Everything’s in place. We’re ready to roll. Just waiting for the event to happen,” Stanfill said. “We have great people to work with. It’s going to be a good event.” A two-day ticket is $16 for adults, $12 for seniors and students. Friday only is $7/$5. Saturday only is $11/$8.