NEWBERRY — The City of Newberry PRT Department hosted the second annual Youth Cheerleading Competition at the Old Gallman Gym on Nov. 6.

A capacity crowd watched as six teams competed with the assistance of the Newberry College cheerleaders. The competition teams consisted of the Broncos, Chiefs, Colts, Jets, Panthers and Rams.

During the course of the regular season, Newberry College cheerleaders assisted squads in choreographing dance routines, refining cheers and performing pyramid stunts.

Each squad was given the opportunity to be creative and make the routine their own.

This year’s champion was the Jets cheerleaders who performed a nearly flawless routine. Rounding out the top three were the Colts and the Rams.

The competition came into play one year ago after PRT coordinators wanted to offer cheerleaders an opportunity to perform for fans with all of the focus on the cheerleaders.

“The football teams practice each week in order to prepare for games which allow them to see the results of their hard work,” coordinator Collin Shealy said of the competition. “We wanted our cheerleaders to experience that same excitement in their practices. Giving them something to work towards really allows them to see how much they have learned over the course of the season”.

Youth cheerleading concludes Nov. 16 along with the youth football championship games at Kendall Football Stadium.

Panthers cheerleaders begin their routine.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/web1_Panthers-cheerleaders-begin-their-routine.jpgPanthers cheerleaders begin their routine. Courtesy photos

Jets cheerleaders pause before the music begins.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/web1_Jets-cheerleaders-pause-before-the-music-begins.jpgJets cheerleaders pause before the music begins. Courtesy photos

Chiefs cheerleaders get the crowd involved.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/web1_Chiefs-cheerleaders-get-the-crowd-involved.jpgChiefs cheerleaders get the crowd involved. Courtesy photos

2016 Competition Champions – Jets Cheerleaders.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/web1_2016-Competition-Champions-Jets-Cheerleaders.jpg2016 Competition Champions – Jets Cheerleaders. Courtesy photos

All six teams performed very well in the second year of competition.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/web1_All-six-teams-performed-very-well-in-the-second-year-of-competition.jpgAll six teams performed very well in the second year of competition. Courtesy photos

Broncos cheerleaders line up in formation.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/web1_Broncos-cheerleaders-line-up-in-formation.jpgBroncos cheerleaders line up in formation. Courtesy photos

Staff Report