Feb 11, 2019 More than 20,000 cheerleaders and dancers from around the world competed for top honors at the Walt Disney World® Resort in Orlando Memphis, TN – Feb. 11, 2019 – The 2019 National High School Cheerleading Championship and National Dance Team Championship took place this past weekend celebrating more than 20,000 of the country’s top high school cheerleaders and dancers. The events, produced by the Universal Cheerleaders Association and Universal Dance Association, both Varsity Spirit brands, celebrated the power of school spirit, community, athleticism and talent, and took place at the Walt Disney World® Resort in Florida. “It has been a great honor hosting these championships that recognize the hard work and dedication of these young, talented students,” said Jeff Webb, Founder of Varsity Spirit. “Celebrating their efforts and devotion in generating school spirit at their schools and communities is very important to us.” The two events showcased 24,000 athletes across 1,200 teams from 35 different states. Internationally, 89 teams from 12 countries also competed. Cheerleading teams are judged on their crowd leading abilities, stunting and tumbling skills and overall performance. The dance competition is judged on choreography, technique, execution and overall effect. All teams competing in the championship had to qualify at a regional event or camp in order to participate. Varsity Spirit live-streamed both championships on Varsity TV, a website dedicated to exclusive live coverage and video libraries of Varsity Spirit cheer and dance competitions. The championships will air on ESPNU and ESPN2, beginning in late March. Viewers can check their local listings for air times. Cheerleading Super Varsity winners included: Super Varsity Division I: Westlake High School—Austin, TX Super Varsity Division II: Bishop McCort Catholic High School—Johnstown, PA Super Varsity Game Day: Desoto Central High School—Southaven, MS Cheerleading Large Varsity winners included: Large Varsity Division I: Fossil Ridge High School—Fort Collins, CO Large Varsity Division II: Mount Sinai High School—Mount Sinai, NY Large Varsity Coed: Bartow High School—Bartow, FL Large Varsity Game Day: Live Oak High School—Denham Springs, LA Large Varsity Coed Game Day: Lewisville High School—Lewisville, TX Cheerleading Medium Varsity winners included: Medium Varsity Division I: Live Oak High School—Denham Springs, LA Medium Varsity Division II: Pulaski County High School—Somerset, KY Medium Varsity Coed: McCracken County High School—Paducah, KY Medium Varsity Game Day: Madison Central High School—Richmond, KY Medium Varsity Coed Game Day: Broken Arrow High School—Broken Arrow, OK Cheerleading Small Varsity winners included: Small Varsity Division I: Boone County High School—Florence, KY Small Varsity Division II: Lexington Christian Academy—Lexington, KY Small Varsity Coed: Blackman High School—Murfreesboro, TN Small Varsity Game Day: Montgomery High School—Skillman, NJ Small Varsity Coed Game Day: Aloha High School—Beaverton, OR Dance Team Large Varsity winners included: Large Varsity Hip Hop: Collierville High School—Collierville, TN Large Varsity Pom: Millard North High School—Omaha, NE Large Varsity Jazz: Millard North High School— Omaha, NE Large Varsity Game Day: Bearden High School—Knoxville, TN Dance Team Varsity High Kick winner: Varsity High Kick: Maine South High School—Park Ridge, IL Dance Team Medium Varsity winners included: Medium Varsity Hip Hop: Eisenhower High School—Shelby County, MI Medium Varsity Pom: Bearden High School—Knoxville, TN Medium Varsity Jazz: Eisenhower High School—Shelby County, MI Medium Varsity Game Day: Los Alamitos High School—Los Alamitos, CA Dance Team Small Varsity winners included: Small Varsity Hip Hop: Academy of the Holy Angeles—Demarest, NJ Small Varsity Pom: Santa Margarita High School—Rancho Santa Margarita, CA Small Varsity Jazz: Farragut High School—Knoxville, TN Small Varsity Game Day: Teurlings Catholic High School—Lafayette, LA More than 85,000 attended the national championship events, with performances at six venues within ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World® Resort, including The Arena, the first facility in the world built specifically for cheer and dance competitions. The Universal Cheerleaders Association and Universal Dance Association are dedicated to the safe and responsible practice of cheerleading and dance, and all teams participating in the National High School Cheerleading and Dance Team Championships comply with the American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators’ safety guidelines. About Varsity Spirit Memphis-based Varsity Spirit has been a driving force behind cheerleading’s dynamic transformation into the high-energy, athletic activity it is today, and the leading global source for all things cheerleading and dance. A division of Varsity Brands, Varsity Spirit is a leader in uniform innovation and educational camps, clinics and competitions, impacting nearly a million athletes each year. Focused on safety, entertainment and traditional school leadership, Varsity Spirit’s 5,000 employees have been helping raise cheerleading’s influence and profile since 1974. For more information about Varsity Spirit or Varsity Brands, please visit varsity.com or varsitybrands.com. ### Media Contact: Sheila Noone snoone@varsity.com 901-251-5959 Catherine Pope cpope@rubensteinpr.com 212-805-3022
