Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Springs — In its first year as a coed team, the Steamboat Springs High School cheerleading team capped off a successful four-meet season by qualifying for nationals and registering an 11th-place finish at the state meet.

Steamboat, which competes in the coed division with other Class 4A and 5A teams, was able to earn a bid for Nationals in Florida by finishing high enough at the Universal Cheer Association meet Nov. 19 at the Denver Coliseum.

The team, however, won’t attend the national event this year because of the cost. The team hopes to qualify next year and raise enough money to go as a team.

“They did really well,” coach Shannon Uris said. “They competed four times, and that’s more than we ever have. Each time, they always did better and were hanging in there with the top teams. We’re going to start building now for next year, and we should be even better.”

Uris said the team’s goal was to finish in the top 10 at the state meet Dec. 9 at the Coliseum.

The team finished 11th at state, one point out of 10th. The only Class 4A team to beat Steamboat was Montrose.

“We weren’t totally disappointed or jumping for joy,” Uris said. “It was a bummer to miss (the top 10) by that little. They did the best they did competition wise on their state day. That was a goal too.”

The team doesn’t have any more competitions this year, but Uris said the team would continue to cheer at winter and spring sports.

She said the team already is working on next year’s routine and said the team will continue to try to have a positive role in community events.

— To reach Luke Graham, call 970-871-4229 or email lgraham@SteamboatToday.com