Cheerleaders Win State Championship
Dunbar Varsity “black squad” wins first in large varsity division at the KHSAA state competition.
Dunbar cheerleaders won state on Dec. 10 at the Alltech Arena. Led by four seniors, Maddie Carter, Nakaiya Mayberry, Abby Rawls, and Mary Vezina, the Bulldogs defeated 16 teams in the All Girls Large Division capturing their 18th state title.
“I feel complete and utter gratitude toward my coaches and my team for their hard work,” said Rawls.
They finished with a score of 89, beating Bowling Green by 0.9 and previous state champion, Greenup County, by 3 points.
“I’m not even sure there are words to describe the feeling. It was the moment that we never even thought was possible… where our years of sweat and tears finally paid off,” said Rawls.
The last time the girls won a state title, the seniors were freshmen on the team.
Both Dunbar cheer squads, Junior Varisty (“red team”) and Varsity (“black team”) will travel in February to Universal Cheerleaders Association’s National High School Cheerleading Championships held in Orlando at Disney and ESPN’s Wide World of Sports. They will be competing for their 9th national title.
Dunbar’s Varsity cheerleaders finish the cheering portion of their routine.
Dunbar cheerleaders hug each other after they were told they won the state competition.
The cheerleaders finish with an ending pyramid after hitting all of their stunts.
Sophomore flier Maddie Wiley hugs Junior Haven Morse after the team was announced winners.
The varsity cheerleaders celebrate after taking a photo as a team.
