Steamboat Pilot & Today

The Steamboat Springs varsity cheerleading team had a record-breaking day Saturday.

The squad of 12 girls took top honors in three categories at the National Cheerleader Association's Rocky Mountain western regional competition in Grand Junction.

"It is the best showing we've had in the last five years that we've gone," coach Kathy Jones said.

The Sailors, who have been practicing for Saturday's competition since August, were named the top medium-sized varsity squad, as well as the overall champion in the jumps and choreography categories.

NCA divides the classifications into small, medium and large based on squad size. The medium classification is for squads of 10 to 15 people.

But the other two championships for Steamboat were overall titles, meaning the Sailors defeated much larger teams to win those trophies.

"Best choreography is more of a reflection on the overall routine," Jones said.

The routine was set to a variety of songs and choreographed by Jones, who had to rework the routine when the team lost three girls.

"It's an accolade to the team," Jones said about its ability to learn on the fly.

To win the best jumps trophy, Steamboat incorporated a series of difficult moves into its routine.

Winning the regional competition advances the Sailors to the state competition Dec. 2 -- the same weekend that the Steamboat Springs football team may be playing for a state championship.

The entry fee has been paid, Jones said, but the girls will not compete if the football team is in the finals.

The squad could not pull out of the regional meet, however, which is why it was absent for Steamboat's 14-6 football playoff win against Eagle Valley on Saturday at Gardner Field, Jones said.

"The regional contest is always held on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, which is always a playoff weekend," Jones said. "But it's only affected us one other time."

This year's regional champion team, sponsored by First National Bank of Steamboat Springs, was: Lucy Froemmling, Hannah Bowers, Nicci Curd, Vanessa Heinert, Kaylee Colella, Liz Handing, Sara Handing, Lauren Letson, Christy Good, Heather Coram, Angela Palaniuk and Mandy Luchini.