CCHS cheerleaders state bound in KAPOS large co-ed division

By Josh Robinson
Sports Correspondent

photo submitted

The Casey County High cheerleaders captured the regional title Saturday and will return to the state competition for the second year in a row. Seated in front, from left, are Shelby Stringer, Whitney Lawhorn, mascot Elizabeth Forbes, Brandi Coleman and Ali Thompson. Second row, Coach Kelly Forbes, LaShay Byrd, Jenna McFarland, Cheyenne Gosser, Tyra Sengkhamyong, Nikki Burge and Coach Susan Stringer. Third row, Mariah Looney, Hanna Wahl, Bobbi Robinson, Sara Duggins and Cheyenne Malone. Back row, Wyatt Smith, Corey Roy, Cody Denson, Keaton Kleffman, Chris Lee, Jordan Ellison, Arturo Rodriguez and Samantha Gillock.

The Casey County cheerleading squad competed at the 12th region Kentucky Association of Pep Organization Sponsors (KAPOS) competition Saturday afternoon at Southwestern High School in Pulaski County.
All season long, the squad’s primary goal has been to repeat as region champs and qualify for the state competition once again.
Casey County accomplished that goal Saturday and will be returning to state competition for a second consecutive year.
Casey was the only team that qualified in the large, co-ed division which automatically puts them in the state competition.
They will compete against 15 other teams in Diddle Arena on the campus of Western Kentucky University.
“Our team did such an awesome job,”  Assistant Coach Kelly Forbes said. “All that practice was rewarded by how well we did.”
Five co-ed teams were present at the regional competition.  Despite getting instant results in the past, the coaching staff and the team are now waiting on the scores and results from their routine.
“We are waiting for the mail to come and see if we were the overall co-ed winner. I think it was clear that we had the most difficult routine and performed it very well,” Forbes said.
When Casey competes at state, they will go up against some of the largest varsity squads in Kentucky, including Bowling Green, who Casey competed against earlier this year in the Snowball Cheer Classic.
Casey finished second overall behind Bowling Green, the defending state champs.
Casey placed sixth last year at state competition and has their eyes set on a top five finish this year.
“This team is very focused and determined —they want to be a special team that has a picture to hang in that gym to remind people of their accomplishments,” Forbes said.
Casey is scheduled to perform Saturday morning, Feb. 19.