The Gaffney High competitive cheerleading team will compete Nov. 21 in the S.C. High School League Competitive Cheer final in the old Coliseum in Columbia. This is the second year in a row Gaffney has qualified for the state finals. Competitive cheerleading was recognized as a high school sport in South Carolina in 1996. As the football playoffs begin, Gaffney High cheerleaders have their own dreams of a state championship.

Gaffney High will make its second straight appearance in the S.C. High School League Competitive Cheer final Nov. 21 in Columbia. The state finals will feature the top 12 competitive cheerleading squads in South Carolina.

Gaffney High qualified for the state championship after being named the Upper State Runner-Up last week. Northwestern was the champion in the Upper State Competition, which featured 18 teams.

“We’ve had a great year,” Gaffney High cheerleading coach Elizabeth Ireton said. “I am so very proud of what this group of young ladies has accomplished this year.”

Competitive cheering became a S.C. High School League sport in 1996.

Gaffney High started its competitive cheerleading team six years ago. Last year was the first time the school earned a spot in the state finals.

High school league rules require all members of the competitive cheerleading team to be on a school’s regular cheerleading team as well. In addition to four practices a week, many cheerleaders are enrolled in weightlifting classes and arrive at school early for strength and conditioning workouts.

“They have worked extremely hard,” Ireton said. “Sometimes it is hard in cheerleading to beat teams that are already ‘proven,’ but that is exactly what we have done this year.”

The hard work has paid off for Gaffney High cheerleaders, winning the Panthers Prowl and Indian Invitational contests. Six cheerleaders were named to the All-Region team.

Gaffney High cheerleaders will spend practice time over the next two weeks adding more difficulty to their carefully choreographed routines. The state championship will require the cheerleaders to perform stunts and gymnastic routines nonstop for 2 1/2 minutes.

“We are very excited. This is the best we have ever done,” said Gaffney High senior cheerleader Brianna Payne, a four-time allregion selection. “We have worked really hard to get to this point.”