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By a slim margin, Union High School Cheerleaders, Biggsville, gave up 1st place in the Westland Mall Cheerleading Competition bringing home second place.
The event was held in West Burlington, Iowa, on Saturday, August 16th.
Burlington High School's Competitive Cheerleading Squad was given 1st Place with their 2 minute routine.
The UHS Cheerleading Squad, a group of 11 girls, were competing for the first time all together under the instruction of their coaches, Marlo Ross and Cherry Simmons.
Three of the cheerleaders had competed on a former cheerleading squad a couple years ago where Union took 4th place in the Lincoln Trails Conference.
Those who competed Saturday were:
Seniors: Heather Simmons, Amy Bigger, Ashley Jones, Kelsey Olson, Tara Eaton.
Juniors: Bailey Nelson, Shannon VanTine, Kristin Whiteman, Jessica Koch,
Freshmen: Halee Simmons, Jessica England
Coach Marlo Ross said she and Coach Simmons had attended a Safety Certification Workshop August 1st in the Chicago area, and they both have backgrounds in cheerleading.
Simmons, a mother of 3 girls, was a high school cheerleader and parent of cheerleaders with two girls on the squad.
Marlo was a college cheerleader for two years and has helped with cheerleading programs in high school and with the cheer clinic at the "Y".
"The girls have really done a great job!" Marlo said. "Since July 7th, they have practiced two hours a day and the last three weeks they have practiced 3 to 4 hours a day from Monday thru Thursday."
Ross said they were to have a 4 minute minimum routine with a dance segment - cheer segment - chant segment or any combination of the 3. They were evaluated on things such as movement, techniques, difficulty, and perfection and they were to have not more than 16 members. There are also safety specifications such has spotters. It is a great experience. They bond and gel as a team. It's very good to have going into football season. They are learning the competition side of cheering and it is nice to see the older ones helping the new-comers.
Ross said the team could be competing again in the Lincoln Trail Conference competition as they did two years ago.
"I am hoping they can compete in the fall. I am waiting to hear," Ross said. "The competition can take them to state, or even to nationals."