The Mount Ayr competition cheer squad brought home a fifth-place trophy in the Time Out Cheer division on Saturday, November 7 at the State Cheer Competition in Des Moines.

Participants were Alyssa Johnson, Haylea England, Cheyenne Haveman, Abbey Schafer, MacKenzie Shields, Sammy McGill, Caroline McAlexander, Kennedy McAlexander, Kirsten Dolecheck, Ashton Quick, Ryanna Martin and Blair Glendenning.

Trophies were awarded to the top five finishers in each division. Mount Ayr finished fifth out of 17 teams from 1A and 2A schools, and they also finished ahead of several other 2A schools. This is a very tough competition, and it is a huge honor to finish in the top five and receive a trophy.

"These girls have worked so hard over the past several months, and we couldn't be prouder of them," said co-coaches Amanda Larsen and Carol Cason. "This is the first year, for many years, that the cheerleaders have had a competition cheer squad. Look for this great trophy in the trophy case the next time you visit the high school. We look forward to competing again next year. We would like to thank all of the parents and community members who came to watch and cheer them on. Your support was greatly appreciated."

The squad also competed in the Group Stunt division, but had very stiff competition and weren't able to make finals.

Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, January 07, 2016, Page 16

Wrestling Cheerleaders

The wrestling cheeleaders include (sitting on mat) Gabrielle Hunke; (front row) Caroline McAlexander, captains Shaley Miller and Maddie Mobley and Emma Mobley; (back row) Hannah Jackson, Katie Sickles, Bailey Anderson and Kennedy Brokaw-McAlexander.

Basketball Cheerleaders

The basketball cheeleaders include (front row) captains Addy Flammang and Kirsten Young; (second row) Ashton Sheil, Elsie Schafer and Cheynne Gillespie; (third row) Brylea Stark and Jentri Ruby.

Photographs courtesy of Mount Ayr Record-News
Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, November of 2015; updated May of 2016