Three YAIAA cheer teams win district gold

The YAIAA had a dominant showing at the 2015-2016 District 3 Competitive Spirit Championships on Saturday afternoon. Of the four divisions three local teams — New Oxford, Spring Grove and Dallastown — brought home district gold.

Perennial powerhouse New Oxford beat out Red Lion, South Western, Susquehanna Township and Schuylkill Valley to win its fifth-straight co-ed division title. The Colonials, who have 15 new cheerleaders on their 25-person team, are on a mission to win their fourth straight state title and possibly repeat as national champs.

“At the beginning of the year, a lot of people didn’t believe this team could get to where we’re at right now," New Oxford coach Chris Topper said. "We had a lot of doubters, but these kids continue to work hard in the gym, day in, day out, and they’re improving so fast. To do what we’re doing right now is really impressive and I’m very pleased with their performance and what they’ve accomplished so far this year.”

The Lions claimed second place.

Dallastown won gold in the medium division over five other schools including Central York. It's the Wildcats' first district title.

After four runner-up finishes, Spring Grove beat 20 other district schools to take home gold in the small division. That'st he first district title for the Rockets, too.

The teams are judged on a 100-point scale, with 30 of those points being in the cheer portion and 70 in the music portion. The cheer portion is broken down into presentation of material, motions, skills, execution and overall performance. The music portion is graded on partner stunts, pyramids, tumbling, jumps, dance and overall effect.