CHEER NEWS (updated 02.13.23)

Mars Area High School Competition Cheer Team advanced to the finals of the 2023 UCA National High School Cheerleading Championship, held Feb. 10-12 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex (Orlando, Fla.).

The team took eighth place with a score of 95.3 in the final round of the Small Varsity Division II Game Day. The Planets advanced to the finals, after tying for third place (94.1) in the semifinals.

Team members include seniors Alina Glentzer, Sydney Heim, Lucy Huggins, Elsa Scheide, Madalynn Schwartzbauer; juniors Kelley Kozesky; sophomores Mackenzie Aufderheide, Ellie Koma, Gabriella Lapina, Brooke Southwell, Addisyn Vavala and Isabella Yoshioka; and freshmen Riley Carrel, Josie Dressen, Alexandria Lefcakis, Bella Staines, Avery Symchak, Teagan Tumulty and Addison Vargo.

For more information, visit https://tv.varsity.com/events/7976363-2023-uca-national-high-school-cheerleading-championship/results?filter=35009.

2023 PIAA Competitive Spirit Championships

Mars Area High School Competition Cheer Team competed in the preliminary round of the 2023 PIAA Competitive Spirit Championships, held Jan. 27-28 in Hershey, Pa.

The team placed 13th with an overall score of 72.8 in the Class 3A Small Varsity — Group A Division. The team qualified for the state championships after earning an overall score of 79.3 at the 2023 WPIAL Competitive Spirit Championships on Jan. 7.

For more information, visit www.piaa.org.

WPIAL Competitive Spirit Championships

Members of Mars Area High School’s Competition Cheer Team pause for a picture at the 11th annual WPIAL Competitive Spirit Championships, held Jan. 7. Mars Area High School’s Competition Cheer Team joined in the 11th annual WPIAL Competitive Spirit Championships, held Jan. 7 at Hempfield Area High School.

The team, which competed in the 3A Small Varsity Division, received a final score of 79.3, earning points in the Cheer (24.4), Stunts (29.5), and Overall (25.4) categories. The team qualified to compete in the 2023 PIAA Competitive Spirit Championships, to be held Jan. 27-28 at the GIANT Center (Hershey).

eam members include seniors Alina Glentzer, Sydney Heim, Lucy Huggins, Elsa Scheide, Madalynn Schwartzbauer; juniors Kelley Kozesky; sophomores Mackenzie Aufderheide, Ellie Koma, Gabriella Lapina, Brooke Southwell, Addisyn Vavala and Isabella Yoshioka; and freshmen Riley Carrel, Josie Dressen, Alexandria Lefcakis, Paige Nicholson, Bella Staines, Avery Symchak, Teagan Tumulty and Addison Vargo.

To view a video of the team’s performance (at 3:27.40) at the WPIAL Competitive Spirit Championships, visit www.meridix.com/event/222260. For more information, visit www.wpial.org.

Team Takes Second Place at 'Battle in the ‘Burgh!'

Members of Mars Area High School Competitive Cheer Team earned second place overall at the “Battle in the ‘Burgh” cheerleading competition. Mars Area High School Competition Cheer Team earned second place overall at the “Battle in the ‘Burgh!” cheerleading competition, held Dec. 11 at Robert Morris University’s UPMC Events Center.

In addition, the team took first place in the Medium Game-Day division. Team members include seniors Alina Glentzer, Sydney Heim, Lucy Huggins, Elsa Scheide, Madalynn Schwartzbauer; juniors Kelley Kozesky; sophomores Mackenzie Aufderheide, Ellie Koma, Gabriella Lapina, Brooke Southwell, Addisyn Vavala and Isabella Yoshioka; and freshmen Riley Carrel, Josie Dressen, Alexandria Lefcakis, Paige Nicholson, Bella Staines, Avery Symchak, Teagan Tumulty and Addison Vargo.

The team will next compete in the WPIAL Competitive Spirit Championships, to be held on Saturday, Jan. 7, at Hempfield Area High School.

For details, visit http://elitecheerleading.com/competitions/allstars/.

Team Named Grand Champions at Jagfest Spirit Competition

Mars Area High School Competition Cheer Team was named overall Grand Champions at the Jagfest Spirit Competition, held Oct. 16 at Thomas Jefferson High School.

In addition, the team also took first place in the Small Varsity Game Day and Small Varsity Traditional Divisions.

Team members include seniors Alina Glentzer, Sydney Heim, Lucy Huggins, Elsa Scheide, Madalynn Schwartzbauer; juniors Kelley Kozesky; sophomores Mackenzie Aufderheide, Ellie Koma, Gabriella Lapina, Brooke Southwell, Addisyn Vavala and Isabella Yoshioka; and freshmen Riley Carrel, Josie Dressen, Alexandria Lefcakis, Paige Nicholson, Bella Staines, Avery Symchak, Teagan Tumulty and Addison Vargo.

The team will next compete at the Sparkle & Shine Cheer Fest to be held on Sunday, Oct. 30, at Hempfield Area High School (Greensburg); at the Allegheny Regionals on Sunday, Nov. 6, at Slippery Rock University; and at the South Hills Showdown on Sunday, Nov. 13, at Bethel Park High School.

For more information, call (724) 625-1581.

2021-2022

2022 UCA National High School Cheerleading Championship

Members of Mars Area High School Competitive Cheer Team gather for a photo outside Hollywood Studios during the team’s trip to the UCA National High School Cheerleading Championship. Mars Area High School Competition Cheer Team advanced to the semifinals of the 2022 UCA National High School Cheerleading Championship, held Feb. 11-13 at Walt Disney World Resort.

The team took 14th place with a score of 88.60 in the Small Varsity Division II. The Planets advanced to the semifinals, after placing third (92.75) in the preliminary round of the competition.

“It’s absolutely rare that a team of rookies could conquer such a season,” says Michaela Bonnett, cheer coach, noting that the team is the first Mars Area team to advance to the national competition twice. “They are forever the foundation that holds those who come after them.”

Team members include seniors Morgan Beck, Sarah Hooper, Kelsey Hulbert, Fayth Petruzzelli and Danielle Vactor; juniors Alina Glentzer, Sydney Heim, Lucy Huggins, Mia Lipscomb, Ella Scholar and Madalyn Schwartzbauer; and, freshmen Mackenzie Aufderheide, Ellie Koma, Brooke Southwell, Addisyn Vavala and Isabella Yoshioka.

For more information, visit https://tv.varsity.com/results/7419345-2022-uca-national-high-school-cheerleading-championship/31662.

WPIAL Competitive Spirit Championships

Mars Area High School’s Competition Cheer Team joined in the WPIAL Competitive Spirit Championships, held Jan. 8 at Hempfield Area High School.

The team, which competed in the 3A Small Varsity Division, received a final score of 72.2, earning points in each Cheer (23.5), Stunts (28.6), and Overall (23.6) categories. To view a video of the team’s performance (at minute 2:49) at the WPIAL Competitive Spirit Championships, visit https://tribhssn.triblive.com/broadcast/74671/2022-wpial-competitive-spirit-championships-january-08-2022-video/.

The team will next compete in the UCA Nationals High School Cheerleading Championship, to be held Feb. 11-13 at Walt Disney World Resort.

For more information, visit www.wpial.org.

Universal Cheerleading Association Allegheny Regional

Members of Mars Area High School Competitive Cheer Team gather for a photo after taking first place at the UCA Allegheny Regional competition. Mars Area High School Competition Cheer Team took first place at the Universal Cheerleading Association (UCA) Allegheny Regional competition, held Nov. 14 at Slippery Rock University.

In addition to their first place win, the team earned a bid to compete in the UCA Nationals High School Cheerleading Championship, to be held Feb. 11-13 at Walt Disney World Resort. The team’s routine showcases the Mars Area High School Marching Band Fight Song and “Paint It, Black” band dance.

Also of note, the team took first place in the Small Varsity Game Day Division at the South Hills Showdown, held Nov. 7 at Bethel Park High School. The team will next compete in the Small Varsity Game Day Division at the 10th annual WPIAL Competitive Spirit Championship, to be held on Saturday, Jan. 8, at Hempfield Area High School.

For more information, visit www.varsity.com/uca.