The 2013 All-Rowan County Cheerleading Championship, hosted by Elevation Cheer Co. was held at Jesse C. Carson High School Feb. 16.
Placing first in the competition and taking home the Jessica Grady Cup was the Raiders from South Rowan High School, coached by Angie Chrismon.
Carson High School, coached by Becky Glenn, showcased skills and received second place.
The East Rowan Mustangs took home third place and North Rowan High school received fourth place.
In addition to the team competition, individual cheerleaders were recognized as All-Rowan County Cheerleaders. Each coach from a participating team nominated four cheerleaders to participate in a live tryout on the day of the competition.
Nominees were scored based on excellence in standing and running tumbling, cheer, jumps and dancing ability.
The cheerleaders that were selected as 2013 All-Rowan County Cheerleaders were: Dallus Lambert, Daisy Lemke, Jill Foster, Dakota Lambert, Jillian Harrell, Corbyn Morris, Kristen Bowers, Brittany Luckey, Savannah Smith and Kristen Parker.
The cheerleader who scored the highest and was named the 2013 All-Rowan County Cheerleader of the Year was Corbyn Morris from East Rowan High School.
The winner of the competition will be the owner of the Jessica Grady Cup for the upcoming year.
Jessica Grady was a cheerleader at West Rowan High School from 2002 to 2004.
Cheerleading was the center of her world, consuming most of her time, her thoughts and her dreams.
Her greatest contribution to her team was her continued spirit.
As a sophomore, Jessica was awarded the first spirit award at West Rowan and her easy-going attitude was contagious to her teammates.
Two weeks before attending cheerleading camp her junior year, Jessica was fatally injured in a car accident.
The reason the Rowan County Cheerleading Championship has been named in Jessica Grady’s honor has more to do with her living than with her passing. Jessica truly lived this sport through her excitement, spirit and dedication.
She was buried in her cheerleading uniform and her teammates were her pall bearers.