The Nome-Beltz High School Nanooks cheer team took first place in their division at the state cheer competition Wednesday in Anchorage.
Divisions are based on squad size, not school size, for the cheer competition, so the Nanooks went up against West Valley and Service high schools in the large division. That’s one of four divisions, including non-building, small and co-ed.
Teams are required to present a cheer or sideline chant, as well as a dance set to music. The cheer counts for 35 points and the musical portion for 65, for a total of 100 possible points.
This year’s win is the Nanooks’ first at a state championship, according to earliest available records. It was also the first year the team competed in the large division and the second time they have competed at state since 2013. Last year, the team placed 4th in the co-ed division.
The Nanooks are led by coach Rebekah Albertson. The team’s final scores have not been released at this time.
This story has been updated.
Image at top: The Nome-Beltz Nanooks cheer team with their 2018 first-place trophy for the large division (Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Coler, used with permission).
