Corbin cheer achieves fourth place finish at national championships

This past weekend, the region and state champion Corbin cheer squad returned to Orlando, FL to once again compete in the Universal Cheer Association’s National High School Cheerleading Championships.

As the defending champions in the Medium Varsity II division, the cheer Hounds had high hopes for what they might accomplish this year at nationals. After two strong performances on Saturday and Sunday, the moment everyone was waiting for finally came. Unfortunately, Corbin ended up having to settle for a fourth place finish in 2017, but Head Coach Shonya O’Neill expressed how proud she was of her team.

In a Facebook post Sunday, O’Neill said, “Your Corbin High School cheerleaders came out fourth in the nation. Not the outcome we wanted, but it’s the outcome we have, and we are proud of our girls.”

“We fought hard, but didn’t hit a perfect routine today. We knew coming in we would have to hit perfect to win. The competition had a year to catch up to us, so we knew we had to beat ourselves, plus everyone else. We fell short of that.”

“I am so proud of this group. We have had a very hard year with five new girls on the mat. We have had many trials and challenging days, but we stood together as a team and made it through them. Never fear… We will come back fighting harder next year, and we will hit what we need we need to hit.”

“To my seniors – I love you, I love, I love you! What you have brought to this team and this program… Wow what an accomplishment!! We literally started from the bottom, and now we are here! We have created a name for ourselves not only in our state, but in the entire nation! Hold those heads high my beauties, because I am so proud of you all!”

“See you next year Orlando, and when we leave we’ll be taking our new white satin jackets with us!”

This year’s CHS cheer squad is: Lexie Carr, Hannah Coots, Shaylla Shelton, Breanna Smith, Emily Davis, Jazlyn Harris, Chloe Ingle, Hannah Matlock, Abbey Norvell, Bailee O’Kuma, Bailee O’Neill, Kaylee Sturgill, Payton Detherage, Savannah Moore, Kailee Baker, Sophia Foister, Taylor Holcomb, Katie Hopper, Taylor Marie Miracle, Katherine Niemeier, Cady Estep. Coaches: Shonya O’Neill, Jamie Grubb, Tiffani Wyatt.

Photos courtesy of ASHLEY NORVELL