MHS Varsity Cheer Squad finishes fourth at state competition

     Members of the Montezuma Cheer Team finished fourth at the 2024 Iowa State Cheerleading Championship held on Saturday, Nov. 2 at the Jacobson Exhibit Center on the Iowa State Fairgrounds. The team was just 1.55 points out of a third place finish and all without in deductions. Pictured are, from left, front row: Hayley Burnett, Elizabeth De Jong, Tayler Wickham, Addyson Probasco, Harlea Pargeon, Emily Jo James and Katelynn Mostek. Back row: Lily Woods, team manager: Aubree Campbell, Analeece Kercheval, Daisy McNaul and Jadyn Woods, team manager. Submitted photos.

By J.O. Parker
 
       The Montezuma High School Varsity Cheerleading Squad overcame several obstacles to finish in fourth place at the 2024 Iowa State Cheerleading Championships.
       Montezuma was 1.55 points from finishing in third place and they did it without any deductions during their routine.
        This year, Montezuma sent 11 cheerleaders to the competition held at the Jacobson Exhibit Center on the Iowa State Fairgrounds on Saturday, Nov. 2.
       “After losing a cheerleader in mid-October, the squad had to completely redo their routine,” said Cheer Coach Shelly Shoemaker.
       Jadyn Woods was the team manager and her sister, Lily, helped lead the team. Also assisting this year was Macy Taylor Richards.
       Of the 11 cheerleaders, seven are seniors and six are new to cheerleading this year.
      “I’m so proud of how they overcame adversity and did so well at state,” said Shoemaker. “They improved on their score greatly from last year.”

        The Montezuma Varsity Cheerleading Squad performs a routine at the the 2024 Iowa State Cheerleading Championships on Saturday, Nov. 2. Montezuma brought home a fourth place finish at the competition.