Blue Jay Cheer Team Wins At State Competition
The Stanley Blue Jay Cheer team headed to Bismarck, ND for the State Cheer competition held at the Bismarck Event Center on Saturday, January 31.
The team competed in several different divisions: Performance Routine (formerly Cheer/Dance Routine), Game Day, Time-Out, Stunt Group, Top Sideline and Jump Off.
The Performance Routine took 1st place Championship with Ziva Ottesen, Laura Rivera, Amelia Jackson, Lacie Meyer, Laylah Wilson, Natalia Cox, Valentina Anthony, Hailyn Jenkins, Breanna Istilart, River Nardacci, Rylee Littlecreek, Italia Rodriguez, Lizzie Nelson, Laney Jackson, and Ashley Ellis.
The Game Day Routine took 1st place Championship with Ziva Ottesen, Laura Rivera, Amelia Jackson, Lacie Meyer, Laylah Wilson, Natalia Cox, Valentina Anthony, Hailyn Jenkins, Breanna Istilart, River Nardacci, Rylee Littlecreek, Italia Rodriguez, Lizzie Nelson, Laney Jackson, Ashley Ellis, Kassi Meinen, Mienke Snygans, Ozelyth Loera, Camryn Ruiz and Isabella Escobedo performing.
The Time-Out Routine took 2nd place with Corra Parkinson, Kassi Meinen, Harloe Hoaby, Ozelyth Loera, Isabella Escobedo, Sadee Uran, June Gallardo, Mienke Snygans, River Nardacci, Laney Jackson, Colter Dunham, Laura Leberon, Laura Rivera, Ziva Ottesen, Camryn Ruiz, Ashley Ellis, Rylee Littlecreek, Italia Rodriguez, and Amelia Jackson performing.
Ashley Ellis and River Nardacci competed in Top Sideline division.
Laney Jackson, Ziva Ottesen, Lizzie Nelson and Ashley Ellis competed in Jump Off. Laney Jackson took 1st place. Laney is now a consecutive four-time state Champion in Class B Jump Off!
Two groups competed in the Stunt Group division. “Last time, best time-Chungawungas” including Laylah Wilson, Lizzie Nelson, Valentina Anthony, Ashley Ellis and Laney Jackson placed 1st. “Hot Wings” including Italia Rodriguez, Rylee Littlecreek, Breanna Istilart, Amelia Jackson and River Nardacci placed 3rd.
The Stanley Cheer team was also awarded the Team Scholar award for having an average team GPA of 3.5 or higher.
Ashley Ellis and River Nardacci were named to the first ever Cheer All State team! Ashley Ellis and Lizzie Nelson were awarded the NDCCA Senior Scholarship. Italia Rodriguez, Lizzie Nelson, Laney Jackson and Ashley Ellis were named Elite Seniors.
The Cheer team is coached by Amy Littlecreek, Jill Ellis and Brenna Williams.
The Cheer team would like to give a special thank you to Jay Jackson for driving the bus and getting the team to and from Bismarck safely; parents, families, friends and supporters for being there to cheer the team on and for filling up the goodie bags! A special thank you to Tara, George and everyone else who were willing to run for whatever was needed! Also, a big thank you to the Stanley PD and Stanley Fire for the escort out of town!