Cheerleaders win second straight competition

Published 10:26 pm Tuesday, October 2, 2007

MOULTRIE — The Colquitt County cheerleading squad turned in a first on Saturday in Waycross.

For the first time since the school began fielding a squad, Colquitt County has won two straight competitions.

A week after scoring a 205 to take first place at Camden County, Colquitt duplicated that score on Saturday to take first place in the Ware County Swamp Classic.

And the Lady Packers defeated a pair of Region 1-AAAAA foes to take the first-place trophy.

Lowndes turned in a 196 and Valdosta scored a 181.

“The girls are so proud of this one,” said coach Patti Merritt. “We made the changes we needed to make from the previous competition in less than a week and came out on top again. If I’m not mistaken, this is school history again: two first places back-to-back and another amazing 205.”

Competing for Colquitt County were Christian Davis, Lori Sherling, Laura Murphy, Kate Reeves, Bonnie O’Neal, Anna Hall, Kaley Hamilton, Callie Land, Jessica Harvin, Jana Duncan, Taylor Yost, Casey Kilgore, Sara Clayton, Lauren Stripling, Christin Smith, Tabatha Radcliff, Brittany Bell and Ashton Eunice.

“We had great showmanship,” Merritt said. “Our cheer and dance looked awesome.

“We were all together, the girls were really into it. I am so proud of them. These girls are truly remarkable. The have amazing talent and if we can keep it together, we can be dangerous at region and state.”

The Lady Packers lost side base and tumbler Lori Sherling, who will have to have surgery on her knee.

“She is going to be missed for not only sunt groups, but her tumbling ability,” Merritt said. “ She is one of those all-around athletes who will give you 110-percent, no matter what.”

Merritt said the team will work the new pyramid during this week as it prepares to compete against Luella on Saturday in Columbus.