Back row, left to right:Coach Kim Chaney, Hannah Baker, Allie Krasnopolsky, Coach Bryce Seals, Alexis Daniels, Gabby Spicer, and Coach Kim Dixon; middle row, left to right: Courtney Spurlock, Kassidi Napier, Kynsi McIntyre, Hailey Campbell, and Danielle Roberts; front row, left to right: Hayley Mullins, Whitney Walters, Madi McIntyre, and Danica Ward

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Perry County Central’s varsity cheerleading squad won its second consecutive state championship on Saturday.

Co-head coach Kim Chaney said it has been a wonderful way for the team to end its season.

“We had a perfect routine. It was the best that we performed the entire season,” Chaney said. “Overall, we felt really confident when we come off the floor about it, and really like we had a good shot at winning as soon as the routine was over.”

Chaney said she, co-head coach Kim Dixon, and coach and choreographer Bryce Seals were thrilled the team did so well, especially since half the girls graduated last year.

“Half our team is actually new this year, so, we’ve kind of started over. We had to kind of rebuild our team, so that made it even extra special, to be honest,” Chaney said.

Chaney said the squad competed at nationals in the small varsity division a few weeks ago, finishing sixth, but actually beat the national small varsity champions, Pulaski County’s Southwestern High School, at state.

This was also a big accomplishment, Chaney said, for the girls on the squad who felt all season as if they were living in the shadow of last year’s team that had won a world championship, was second in the nation, and had won state.

“Everything they did they kept coming up a little short, coming up a little short, and they had an excellent season. Any team would have loved to have won the things that we’ve won all year. But for them to actually win state to finish off their season has been just the most wonderful thing for them,” Chaney said.

“We come so far, you know, from the time our season actually started. These new girls just jumped in and really took charge and put a lot of hard work and effort in there,” she said.

Chaney said the season is over for the squad now, unless it gets to compete in an in-game competition at the state basketball tournament. However, Chaney said team is celebrating a happy ending to a long season.

“For our seniors, this is definitely a perfect way to end their season,” Chaney said. “It’s just a little piece of heaven for them.”