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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Tuesday, March 6, 2007

Spirited set honored for raising bar, school pride

Advertiser Staff

In a reversal of roles, it was the state's top cheerleaders who were honored by the Hawai'i State Cheer Coaches Association with selection to all-state teams.

"Cheerleaders don't get the recognition they deserve," HSCCA president Alex Obra said. "This is their chance to show what they are capable of doing. This is their chance to be recognized."

Fifteen cheerleaders were picked to the first team, 12 received second team recognition and 12 were honorable mention selections.

The HSCCA will announce the Most Outstanding Cheerleader of the Year, Senior Scholar-Athlete of the Year and Coach of the Year, both rookie and veteran, at its awards banquet April 5.

"Each year we do it, I'm like 'wow' with their talent," Obra said. "The caliber of talent just gets better."

The talent is also spread out this year, with three boys selected to the first team, instead of one or none, and two first-team picks from a Neighbor Island.

Radford won the medium division (11 or fewer members) and Mililani won the large division (12 to 18 members) at the Zippy's/HHSAA Cheerleading Championships Jan. 21. Three members from each squad were named to the All-State first team.

Malyssa Barbasa, Keisha Pamaylaon and Arlene Gines were selected for the Rams and Jaime Tenorio, Desiree Toribio and Chelsea Villamor were the Trojans on the team.

Kamehameha had the most selections to the first team with five: Erika Castro, Savannah Wolfe, Keenyn Won, Corinne Chun and Kendra Uson.

Baldwin and Farrington each had two selections. Niki Fernandez and Corey Manibog were chosen from Baldwin, and Benjamin Pulawa and Christopher Acacio from Farrington.

The selection was open to cheerleaders statewide. Participants tried out in person and via video tape. A 15-person panel chose the All-State teams.

Selection criteria included motions and cheer technique, jumps, standing tumbling, running tumbling, stunt technique, voice, projection, expression and showmanship, and dance.

"They can't just be good in one area, they have to be good in all areas," Obra said.

FIRST TEAM

Niki Fernandez - Baldwin

Erika Castro - Kamehameha

Malyssa Barbasa - Radford

Desiree Toribio - Mililani

Corey Manibog - Baldwin

Benjamin Pulawa - Farrington

Jaime Tenorio - Mililani

Savannah Wolfe - Kamehameha

Keenyn Won - Kamehameha

Christopher Acacio - Farrington

Corinne Chun - Kamehameha

Keisha Pamaylaon - Radford

Kendra Uson - Kamehameha

Chelsea Villamor - Mililani

Arlene Gines - Radford

SECOND TEAM

Zeyuna Tabernero - Baldwin

Ashley Murakami - Kamehameha

Meludy Cabalce - Waiakea

Rachel Gines - Radford

Julie Nagata - Moanalua

Cheyann Loughlin - Punahou

Annalise Ferreira - Mililani

Lavancia Anela Winn - Baldwin

Jennifer Gani - Waiakea

Dylan Vincent - Kamehameha-Hawai'i

Gillian Pratt - Baldwin

Tracy Martinez - Mililani

HONORABLE MENTION

Lindsay Taira - Punahou

Mishon Kawaguchi - Mililani

Jasmine Merseberg - Kamehameha

Maggie Kwong - Moanalua

Renee Tani - Castle

Allysen Kikumoto - Mililani

Annalise Miyashiro - Punahou

Taryn Sau-Liu Loo - Punahou

Rachel Gines - Radford

Jorilyn Gorgonio - Kalaheo

Ashley Carter - Radford

Brittney Ervin - Kapolei

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