The Foothill and Amador Valley junior varsity cheer teams ranked in the top two spots at last weekend’s United Spirit Association (USA) High School Spirit Nationals in Anaheim — with Foothill JV once again being named national champions.
Both teams competed against 24 other high school teams in the “Small JV Show Cheer Novice” category.
During last Friday’s preliminary competition, both JV teams were among the nine teams advancing to Sunday’s final competition — where Amador Valley placed second and Foothill placed first.
“This little team of 10 girls amazed everyone with their performance,” said Foothill JV cheer coach Nancy Jefferies. “Hearing our names called as national champions was something that we will never forget.”
Amador Valley and Foothill varsity cheer teams also participated at nationals but did not make it to Sunday’s final competition last weekend.
Amador Valley competed against 23 teams in the “Large Varsity Show Cheer Intermediate” category, placing 13th.
Foothill varsity, defending national champions, placed 11th in “Small Varsity Show Cheer Intermediate,” competing against 22 other teams.
“I couldn’t be more proud of them. This one competition does not define their entire successful season. It just wasn’t our day,” said Foothill varsity cheer coach Kim DeJoy. “They are true champions in my eyes.”
Cheer teams from Hart, Harvest Park and Pleasanton Middle also attended nationals earlier in the month.
Hart and Pleasanton Middle competed at the USA Jr. Nationals in Anaheim, during which Hart placed 10th and Pleasanton Middle was named national champions. Harvest Park Middle School returned from Anaheim in February after placing first in the “Large Junior High” division at the cheerleading nationals for the Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA).
