Putnam City North Cheerleaders Win State
Putnam City North High School’s cheerleaders won first place in early October at the State Cheerleading Championships, topping the 14 other teams in the 5A division. The state cheerleading championship is the first in the school’s history.
"Our squad has shown the state how incredibly talented they are. We’ve been practicing four or five days a week for three hours at a time since July. It’s so nice to see the students’ hard work, constant encouragement for one another and positive attitude pay off. I’m very proud of them,"" says Bethany Lorenz, varsity cheerleader sponsor at Putnam City North.
The state championship continues a string of successes for Putnam City North’s cheerleading squad. Last year, the squad won their regional championship in OSSAA competition, the State 5A Academic Championship and the Super Large Varsity Division of the National Cheerleaders Association senior high School national championships in Dallas. The missing recognition, Lorenz and the squad felt, was a first place at state competition.
"We placed fifth last year and felt that we should have placed higher. We wanted to show the state that we really are among the best," Lorenz says.
According to Lorenz, credit for the squad’s success goes beyond cheerleaders.
"Our coaches, Orson Sykes and Leroy McCullough, are a large part of the reason why we are successful. They make up our routines, organize and run our practices, and constantly give the girls the encouragement they need. They are a major source of strength for the girls, and wonderful role models as well," Lorenz says.
The efforts of junior varsity cheerleader sponsor Cathy Keller and the support of parents and other students are important, too, Lorenz says.
"We really couldn't have done it without all of them," Lorenz says.
Members of Putnam City North’s state championship cheerleading squad are:
• Brittany Behymer, grade 12
• Rachel Curry, grade 9
• Bekka Dornbos, grade 9
• Lori Emmert, grade 12
• Shayla Faggins, grade 9
• Allie Floresca, grade 10
• Catherine Fuller, grade 11
• Emily Gilliland, grade 9
• Kellen Hardy, grade 10
• Lindsay Holtsberg, grade 12
• Shelby Keown, grade 12
• Hailee Lippmin, grade 11
• Amber Meixner, grade 10
• Mandi Newcombe, grade 9
• Mariah Pelligreno, grade 10
• Jenny Pollock, grade 12
• Nikki Prater, grade 12
• Jillian Rodesney, grade 10
• Kim Terrell, grade 11
• Chantall Zambrana, grade 9