Lady Indians Capture WVSSAC Class AA Cheer Title
By Julie Perine on December 14, 2019
For the first time since 2001, the Lady Indians of Bridgeport High School have received the Class AA state cheer title. The Tribe proved its exemplary cheer, tumbling, stunting and dance abilities at the state cheerleading championships held today at Marshall University's Cam Henderson Center.
“Backstage, the girls struggled a little during warmups, so to forget about that and go out there and put on a show the way they did just overjoyed us,” said Coach Natalie Hathaway. “We had some really good competition and we were really proud of them.”
Bridgeport performed first in a field of eight Class AA teams - winners and runners-up representing Regions I, II, III and IV.
The Tribe was followed by Winfield, East Fairmont, Logan, Fairmont Senior, Lincoln, Oak Hill and Man.
BHS topped the field with 356.02 points - the highest score of the day, in all divisions. Logan High School took second place with 351.4 points and Lincoln landed third with 342.4 points.
“We had told the girls that we knew it was going to be close and even though they did everything the way they were supposed to, you never know how it is going to turn out,” Hathaway said. “So I think some of them were shocked when it was announced they had won.”
Once reality sunk in, however, Assistant Coach Janet Hathaway said the girls were ecstatic.
“They were just elated; so happy and so happy for each other and appreciative for the experience,” she said.
Going into competition, Natalie Hathaway said all she asked of her team was a clean, solid performance. She said the girls certainly deilvered and that she is proud of their confidence, showmanship and
sportsmanship. The athletes hit their stunts, jumps and tumbling and had the crowd - including hometown fans and other cheer fans from throughout the state - obviously enjoying their performance.
"It was their best performance all year, and that's really hard to do, especially since it's the end of the competition season," she said. "They didn't get any deductions which is the first year since I've coached, that has ever happened. And they did that four times this year, so they did everything we ever wanted and more."
Defending Class AA champion Winfield was among favorites to capture the 2019 title, but the team experienced some stunting woes.
Members of the BHS cheer team are seniors Miranda Kress, Addison Boggs and Alyson Gibson; sophomores Lilly Strait, Emilia Underwood, Lillian Iaquinta, Gyllian Wagner, Lauran Johnston, Jade Nguyen and Rylee Mullins and freshmen Andie McCall, Abigail Davis, Lexi Wilkinson, Brynna Greathouse, Sally Hamrick and Abigail Clifton.
“The majority of these girls were on our Bridgeport Middle School team when they won the (Harrison) county title for the first time since 2001,” Natalie Hathaway said. “Now, they are on the high school team, winning states for the first time since 2001. I think that’s quite a testament to their work ethic.”
Looking ahead to the 2020 cheer season – when the Tribe will compete as AAA – all but three of this year’s cheerleaders could return to the team.
Earlier this year, the Lady Indians took first place at the George Washington Cheer Invitational, the Region II Championships and the Big Ten Championships. Hathaway believes starting the competition season early helped her team members overcome performance nerves and enable them to compete with confidence.
In today's Class AAA action, Wheeling Park took the title with Jefferson placing second. Tug Valley won the Class A title, followed by runner-up Midland Trail.
Click HERE to view photo gallery from Saturday's performance.
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