The Tug Valley cheerleaders pose for a photo during the boys state basketball tournament in Charleston recently. The Tug Valley cheerleaders will compete for their own, Class AA state title on April 3 at the Charleston Civic Center Coliseum. (Photo/Michael Browning)
However, a lawsuit by the Tolsia High School cheerleaders caused the Class AA state cheer competition to be postponed. Now, the double-A cheer competition will be held at 10 a.m. April 3 in the Charleston Civic Center Coliseum.
Tug Valley Coach Tara Ellis said her cheerleaders have been ready since December to compete for a state cheer title.
“We’re ready and we’re excited that a date (for the competition) has been set,” Ellis said. “It’s been a long, tough road, but we’re glad to have our day and excited to get to compete and close out the season. We’re just really excited.”
Ellis said she doesn’t believe the delay will hurt her cheerleaders, who won the Region 4 championship to qualify for the state tournament.
“Right now, we’re in a good place,” she said. “We were ready then and we’re ready now. We’ve maintained our routine and I think we’re just as strong now as we were in December.”
The Tolsia lawsuit alleged that officials got advice on a part of the Tolsia cheerleaders’ routine that was considered illegal. The stunt cost Tolsia several points in the end and caused them to fall out of contention for the regional championship.
Scott took the place of Tolsia in the final rankings.
But, Tolsia sued to get reinstated to the competition and a Wayne County circuit judge ruled in Tolsia’s favor and the West Virginia Supreme Court later refused to rehear the case.
Now, instead of just eight teams in Class AA, as there were in the A and AAA competitions, there will be nine teams competing in Class AA.
The Logan High School cheerleaders won the Class AAA state title on Dec. 12, 2009, when the competition was originally scheduled to be held for all three classes.
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