Elkins Bengals Cheerleaders excel at state competition
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SHINNSTON -- After not being able to field a squad for the past four years, the Elkins Bengals Midget Cheerleaders returned with a bang this season and were able to end a long drought for the program.
The Bengals Midget Squad, which is made up of girls ages 10 to 12 years old, recently competed in the state Mountaineer Youth Football League competition at Lincoln High School.
The team was judged on an opening cheer and a dance routine during the event, which featured a total of 12 other cheerleading squads.
At the end of the day the Bengals cheerleading team finished in third place, the first time that an Elkins cheer team has placed at the competition in seven years.
"We have not placed at the competition in any age group for the past seven years, so it was a huge accomplishment for our girls," said Elkins Bengals Cheerleading Coordinator Sierra James.
"This group of girls have been together since they were 5-years-old and they have worked religiously four to five days a week for the last three and half months. So myself, and head coach Andrea Prehoda, who I've coached cheering with for many years, are really proud of them."
The team consists of Karli Tennant, Brooklynn Coberly, Alice Deighan-Rivero, Kenley Miller, Kynlee Studer, Maleah Thomas, Emma Taylor, and Danielle Whitby. Cassandra Valentine and Kayla Wratchford are assistant coaches with the team.
"When I think about what makes this squad so special, it is all the hard work, time and effort that they all put in, including the incredible coaches," James said. "With this group being so small, they have had a lot of opportunities to bond and make special friendships. Some of these girls have cheered since they were 5 years old and will age out this year. They will move to middle school next year, taking with them so many great skills and memories."
The Mountaineer Youth Football Conference offers three classes of football and cheerleading for children between the ages of five and 12 years-old. The league's first game was played in 1977.