WHS cheer qualifies for state

The Wahkiakum High School cheer team hit the mats on Saturday, Dec. 6, at the "Comp in the Swamp" cheer competition hosted by Decatur High School. The Mules brought a small but mighty squad: five cheerleaders in uniform and their spirited mascot, Rowdy the Mule.

Competing in the Small Game Day Division, the Mules faced an uphill battle against eight teams representing 1A, 2A, 3A and 4A schools across Washington. Team sizes ranged from five to 15 athletes, making Wahkiakum the smallest squad in the division by far. What they lacked in numbers they made up for in heart, bringing the energy, precision and enthusiasm of a much larger team.

With just one three-minute routine to show the judges what they could do, the Mules left everything on the floor. As the awards ceremony began, tension filled the gym while the competition director announced which teams met the 70-point minimum score to qualify for the State Cheerleading Championships. One by one, names were called. Then came the moment the Mules had been waiting for. The announcement "And the final team that qualified for state... Wahkiakum High School" was met with cheers, tears, and an overwhelming sense of pride. The team's hours of dedication, practice and hard work paid off, as WHS cheer is officially headed to state.

Competing cheer teams are scored directly on the quality and effectiveness of their spirit props, such as signs, flags, megaphones and pom poms. The team has been doing the most they can with what they have, including DIY (Do It Yourself) props made by the coach. If you are interested in helping the cheer team upgrade some of their props for state, donations can be made to Wahkiakum High School, attention to "WHS cheerleading."

The WIAA State Cheerleading Championships will take place on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, at Battle Ground High School.