National champs among teams in state cheerleading

Advertiser Staff

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Zippy's State Cheerleading Championships Who: Six medium-size squads (Kaiser, Leilehua, Mililani, Moanalua, Kapolei and Iolani) and 11 large-size squads (Lahainaluna, Kaua'i, Punahou, Radford, Waiakea, Pearl City, Hilo, 'Aiea, Baldwin, Kamehameha and Kamehameha-Big Island) When: Today, 6 p.m. (medium-size squads) and 6:50 p.m. (large-size squads) Where: Stan Sheriff Center Admission: $7 adults, $5 students (grades K-12) Parking: $3

That question will be answered tonight at the Third Annual Zippy's State Cheerleading Championships at the University of Hawai'i's Stan Sheriff Center.

Competition for six medium-size squads (11 members or fewer) will begin at 6 p.m., with 11 large-size squads (12-18 members) following with their competition at 6:50.

Kamehameha won the medium division title in 2002, the large division crown in 2003 and is coming off a first-place finish over 59 other regional winners at the National High School Cheerleading Championships on Feb. 7 at Orlando, Fla.

The Warriors, however, expect a challenge from several strong squads, including two-time O'ahu Interscholastic Association champion Radford, which won its own national title last year at the AmeriCheer Championships in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

"Hawai'i's high school cheerleading squads have done very well on the national level, and the sport has grown quickly here and on the Mainland," said Keith Ame-miya, executive director of the Hawai'i High School Athletic Association. "It seems natural for us to have an official state competition to showcase these strong squads."

The six medium squads in today's competition are from Kaiser, Leilehua, Mililani, Moanalua, Kapolei and Iolani. The 11 large squads are from Lahainaluna, Kaua'i, Punahou, Radford, Waiakea, Pearl City, Hilo, 'Aiea, Baldwin, Kamehameha and Kamehameha-Big Island.

Each squad will have 2 minutes and 30 seconds of performance time, with no more than 90 seconds of music and a minimum of 35 seconds of cheer/chant.

Nine judges (five panel, two safety and two boundary) will help score the squads on fundamentals such as jumps, tumbling, partner stunts (including pyramids) and dance, expression and showmanship, choreography and overall crowd appeal.

Factors like energy, creativity, voice strength and articulation, poise, confidence and precision all are evaluated to determine scores.

The maximum points a team can score — a perfect routine — is 100 per panel judge.

In compiling scores, the highest and lowest scores for each team are dropped. In the case of a tie, however, those scores are restored to break the tie. If the score is still tied, co-champions will be declared.

Safety is stressed and safety violations incur severe penalties. There are 14 categories of major safety violations and each violation carries a penalty of five points. Two judges are assigned to concentrate on the safety of routines.

Squads also will be penalized one point for each five seconds over the time limit.

'Aiea owns the overall record with a score of 272.50 points in winning the 2002 large division; Kamehameha has the medium division record with 269.50 points in 2002.