By Angela Watts
Assistant General Manager, Washington D.C.
** Please click on the links above the video to find photos from Tuesday’s championships and video highlights from all seven cheerleading squads.
According to the royal blue T-shirts worn by the Fairfax coaches and fans, it’s okay to stare at the Rebels.
But after their performance in the Concorde District championships on Tuesday, it seems more than appropriate to stand and applaud, too.
Fairfax not only captured its first league title since 1998, but it did so in impressive fashion, besting the defending Virginia AAA state champions, Chantilly, by nearly 20 points.
The Rebels were near flawless in the semifinal round at Chantilly, where teams were judged on 10 criteria that included motions, jumps, tumbling, stunts, dance, projection, choreography, transitions, degree of difficulty and overall impression.
Fairfax (252 points) was a bit less precise in the championship round, but one bobbled dismount was not nearly enough to open the door to its competitors.
Chantilly took second place with 232.5 points, while Herndon placed third at 226.5 and Centreville finished fourth at 215. All four squads advance to the semifinal round of the Northern Region championships, which will be held Saturday at 3 and 8 p.m. at Robinson Secondary School.
“I’m extremely proud of my team,” said an elated — and hoarse — Coach Wes Vaughan of Fairfax. “They’ve been so dedicated and focused the entire season, and I’m just so happy that their hard work has paid off. One of the best things is that this year we brought on a very diverse coaching staff that has really allowed us to branch out and experience a few things that we had never done before. And that has really helped the kids develop in a lot of different ways.
“And when it all comes together it works so amazing.”
Fairfax won its first and only Northern Region title in 1998, and placed second in the state competition that season. But before the Rebels can even think of making a run at their first Virginia AAA championship, they’ll have to shine at the Northern Region tournament, concluding on Nov. 1 at Robinson.
Not only is Chantilly a formidable foe, but so too are others from around the region, including Liberty District champion Stone Bridge, who won three consecutive state championships from 2004-2006 (Class AA in 2004 and AAA in 2005-06).
Vaughan, though, said he is not thinking too far ahead.
“They’re having the time of their life right now,” he said of his co-ed team. “I just want them to continue to have fun and reap the benefits of their hard work.”
Email: awatts@digitalsports.com
NOTE: Videos show the final-round
performances of the top four finishers and the semifinal-round
performances of the other three teams.
Championship Round
1. Fairfax (252)
2. Chantilly (232.5)
3. Herndon (226.5)
4. Centreville (215)
Semifinal Round
1. Fairfax (262)
2. Chantilly (226)
3. Herndon (218.5)
4. Centreville (215.5)
5. Westfield (198.5)
6. Oakton (176)
7. Robinson (174)
All-Concorde District Team
Centreville — Alissa Carruth, Melissa Clubb, Mariah Rivera; Chantilly — Olivia Hathaway, Heather Meraw, Colby Streb, Jennifer Urban; Fairfax — Megan Bayne, Valeria Cartagena, Jasmine Hardmon, Jullie Kook,
Yesle Soh; Herndon — Ben Carroll, Lauren Sullivan; Oakton — Lauren Doss; Robinson — Casey Brown, Madisen McDade, Danielle Saltarelli, Amber Walter; Westfield — Samantha Allison, Bria Mitchell, Molly Seltzer.
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