Cheerleading is a sport that requires dedication, hard work, and precision. The best cheer teams across Southern California gathered at ML King High School in Riverside for the traditional cheer championships on Saturday, Jan. 20, which included a handful of teams from Southwest Riverside County.
The stakes were high as the competition was fierce, but two schools from inside the Valley News coverage area shone the brightest: Temescal Canyon and Elsinore. Murrieta Valley took second place in Coed cheer in Division 1, while Tahquitz followed in third place. Liberty High School took fourth place in Division 2 Coed. However, the big winners were Temescal Canyon Titans, who came out on top in Division 2AA, and Elsinore Tigers, who triumphed in Division 3 Coed. The Lakeside Lancers took 19th place in Division 4A, and Paloma Valley Wildcats placed eighth in Division 4 Coed Division.
The Temescal Canyon Titans impressed the judges with their polished routine, flawless stunts, and upbeat energy. Their precision and synchronization were on point, and their cheers and dance moves were well-timed. Not only did they put on a fantastic show, but they showed their dedication to their craft. Their hard work paid off, and they walked away with the CIF Southern Section title.
The Elsinore Tigers also knocked it out of the park. Their routine was energetic, captivating, and fun. They incorporated impressive tumbling skills, high-flying flips, and synchronized stunts that left the audience in awe. They showed that they were a force to be reckoned with and took home the championship in the Division 3 Coed category.
The traditional cheer championships season continued on Saturday, Jan. 27, with the CIF Southern California State Regional competition at Mira Costa High in Manhattan Beach. Murrieta Valley, who were the State Runner Up in 2022, won the Division 1 Small Coed State Championship after putting on an excellent performance. The Nighthawks did their job earning high scores for their impressive stunts, synchronized dance moves, and high-energy cheers.
JP Raineri can be reached by email at sports@reedermedia.com.
