COLUMBIA – The Catawba Ridge Copperheads cheer team finished third at the 4A state championships Saturday at the Colonial Life Arena.
Catawba Ridge scored 295 points just missing second place by a half point. Second was claimed by Lucy Beckham High and Easley won the 4A title with 304.5 points.
The Copperheads were one of the favorites coming into the event after winning the 4A state qualifier earlier in the week with 304 points. However, some slips and missteps hurt them some during the Saturday competition.
“All in all, the girls should be proud of their season,” said Catawba Ridge head coach Kristen Rhodes. “It may not have been the performance we wanted, but it’s a step in the right direction.”
In the 5A competition, Fort Mill finished sixth and Nation Ford finished ninth. Fort Mill came into the 5A event after finishing fifth in the state qualifier, but dropped one spot. Fort Mill was the highest placing Upper State team in the 5A competition.
Lexington took home first winning the 5A state title with 341.5 points and River Bluff was second with 339.5 points. Fort Mill had 303.5 points and Nation Ford had 287.5 points.
“We were so close to breaking into that top five spot,” said Fort Mill head coach Jennifer Raine. “We are ready to come back next year even stronger.”
Nation Ford finished 12th in the state qualifier, but improved three spots at the state competition Saturday.
“I couldn’t have asked for them to do any better,” said Nation Ford head coach Meagan Bivins. “We went up in placement since last showing and placed top 10 in the state.”
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
