MOULTRIE — The Colquitt County High cheerleaders did not advance past last Friday’s state sectional competition in Columbus, but did turn in the program’s highest score ever, a 220.

“We were clean, sharp an very calm,” said coach Patti Merritt. “The girls were excited and pleased with their performance.

“They worked hard to get there and made Colquitt County proud.”

It was the first trip to a state competition by a Colquitt County cheerleading team.

The top eight teams from the sectional competition advanced to the finals.

Colquitt was 12th while defeating Tift County and Lowndes.

“We were nine points away from the top eight,” Merritt said. “That’s the closest Colquitt County has ever come.”

Merritt said the team is already looking ahead to next year.

“We know what we need to do for next year — have more difficulty,” she said. “We have a young squad (the team had no seniors) so next year we hope to be in the finals.

“We achieved far more this year than the goals we set out to achieve. I have never been so proud and excited about a group of girls than I have this group.”