Sikeston, East Prairie cheerleaders win state championships

SIKESTON -- Two cheerleading squads from the area won top honors in their divisions at the Missouri Cheer Coaches Association state competition held in Columbia over the weekend.

Sikeston won first in the 4-large division for the second consecutive year, while East Prairie was the champion in the 3-small division.

Sikeston's team performance was exciting, well-executed and left a feeling of pride for Sikeston High School, said coaches Tricia Keefer, Sarah McGill and Wanda Throop. The cheerleaders performed a difficult routine, while entertaining and leading the crowd.

This is the first time the squad has ever won back-to-back state championships, and those involved hope to continue the success.

"They had a very sharp routine and I'm very proud of them," East Prairie coach Jamie Shoffner said of her squad. "They are very excited to bring home first place, because they had a lot of tough competition in their division this year.

East Prairie last won its division in 2005.

Other squads that finished in the top five of their division were: New Madrid County Central, third in 3-small; and Dexter, third in 4-small.