CEDAR CITY — The first of three regional competitions for the newly sanctioned sport of competitive cheerleading took place on Saturday at Canyon View High School.

Although a number of Utah schools previously have competed in non-sanctioned cheer competitions at the state, regional and even national level, the sport had not been officially sanctioned by the Utah High School Activities Association until the current school year.

Hundreds of fans filled the stands to watch the squads from more than two dozen high schools, most of them from the southern and central parts of the state.

Teams were categorized by school size – 1A/2A and 3A/4A. The teams also were classified depending on whether they had coed or all-girl squads. Some smaller schools had a handful of athletes on their cheerleading teams, while others had more than two dozen participants.

Teams performed a variety of routines and were scored by a panel of judges. The performances included show routines, sideline or timeout cheers, fight songs and timeout dances.

In the 1A/2A coed category, Gunnison Valley emerged as the top team overall, winning two categories while taking second in one and third in another. South Sevier and Beaver also won one category apiece.

In the 1A/2A all-girl category, North Sevier won three categories and placed second in another. Parowan won one category and placed in the top three in three others.

Then, in 3A/4A all-girl category, Snow Canyon and Desert Hills swept the top two spots in all four categories, with the Warriors placing first in three and second in one, while the Thunder posted three second-place finishes and one first place.

Additionally, Richfield and Dixie each landed two No. 3 spots, as outlined in the top-three results listed below. In addition to the top three schools in each category, several other teams also qualified for state, as detailed on the results page posted on UHSAA’s website.

Next Saturday, Jan. 14, is the Central Region’s divisional competition in Lehi. Two 4A schools from Southern Utah, the coed squads from Crimson Cliffs and Hurricane, along with  3A Canyon View’s all-girl team, are scheduled to compete. The Northern Region will compete on Jan. 21 at Ben Lomond High.

The state competitions for 1A-4A schools are scheduled for Jan. 25 at Utah Valley University in Orem. Larger 5A/6A schools will compete for the state title at the same venue two days later, on Jan. 27.

UHSAA Competitive Cheer Southern Region

Canyon View High School, Jan. 7

Top 3 results, by category

1A/2A coed sideline/school/fight

1. South Sevier
2. Beaver
3. Gunnison Valley

1A/2A all-girl sideline/school/fight

1. North Sevier
2. Millard
3. Parowan

3A/4A all-girl sideline/school/fight

1. Desert Hills
2. Snow Canyon
3. Richfield

1A/2A coed sideline/timeout dance

1. Beaver
2. Gunnison Valley
3. Bryce Valley

1A/2A all-girl sideline/timeout dance

1. Parowan
2. North Sevier
3. Millard

3A/4A all-girl sideline/timeout dance

1. Snow Canyon
2. Desert Hills
3. Dixie

1A/2A coed sideline/timeout cheer

1. Gunnison Valley
2. Beaver
3. Bryce Valley

1A/2A all-girl sideline/timeout cheer

1. North Sevier
2. Parowan
3. Wayne

3A/4A all-girl sideline/timeout cheer

1. Snow Canyon
2. Desert Hills
3. Dixie

1A/2A coed show

1. Gunnison Valley
2. South Sevier
3. Beaver

1A/2A all-girl show

1. North Sevier
2. Parowan
3. Monticello

3A/4A all-girl show

1. Snow Canyon
2. Desert Hills
3. Richfield

Sportsmanship award

• Snow Canyon

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