Marion Cheerleaders show winning spirit

MHS squad shines at National Cheer Camp

Marion School District Marion Cheerleading made some noise at the National Cheer Association camp over the summer break. Coach Lauren Brinkley’s girls took home an impressive amount of trophies at the camp that Brinkley says should carry over into their performances on Friday nights.

“I was very proud of the way they performed at the camp,” Brinkley said.

“This group of 25 is the largest I’ve taken to camp so far, and that’s because we have so many talented girls. This fall is going to be fun because they communicate with each other very well, and more importantly they love their school.”

The girls won four awards as a team, including the Rally Routine championship, the Gameday championship, the camp’s Spirit Stick, and a bid to Nationals. On the individual level, the girls racked up a combined 23 wins and finalist spots in 5 different categories.

Meredith Whited won the “Pin-It Forward” Leadership Award, and Tatum Brown, Jayla Harper, and Kellie Dukes took home All-American honors.

Dukes, an eleventh grader, was also named Top Camp All-American.

The star jumper category had Marion finalists Clancey Pearcy, Alex Moyes, Baylee Trammell, Ally Phillips and Gabby Gill.

Marion also had a winner in the event from each grade with tenth grader Madison Chesney, eleventh grader Kellie Dukes and twelfth grader Rachel Gaines.

The star tumbler category was also filled with Patriots as Emily French, Avery Cook, Sarah Hood, Kamryn Shelton and Rachel Gaines were all named finalists. Marion winners in tumbling were tenth grader Gabby Gill, eleventh grader Kellie Dukes and twelfth grader Clancey Pearcy.

Marion had two groups in the Star Stunt category.

The group of Chesney, Hood, Harper and Shelton were named finalists, and the group of Gill, Phillips, Pearcy and Coleman won the event.

The first opportunity to see these award-winning girls in action at Patriot Stadium will be on August 30, when the Patriot football team will host the Blytheville Chickasaws.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.