Penn Hills youth team repeats as Cheer Bowl champs

By: Josh Rizzo
Sunday, November 17, 2024 | 11:01 AM

The Penn Hills Youth Football and Cheer Association cheerleading team won the Western Pennsylvania Youth Athletic Association Cheer Bowl championship for the third straight year in the big and little divisions.

Cheer coach Ashley Blake said that she emphasizes to all the girls on the team that the judging isn’t only based on the team’s routines. Blake, who graduated from Slippery Rock University and Central Tech High School in Erie, has coached dance teams and cheerleading for 12 years.

Blake also did some pageants, so she knows how to get the best score possible.

“Judging doesn’t start from when the competitions start,” Blake said. “Judging starts from when you cross the paths of judges. We scored high on the compilation of jumps and stunts, but we are also aware of how we enter. We work on sportsmanship and make sure we use good language. It’s our presence that sets us apart.”

The Penn Hills Youth Football and Cheer Association has 92 girls in its cheer program. Blake said 23 girls between 6 and 14 competed in the Cheer Bowl.

This year’s Cheer Bowl was held at Obama Academy. Blake said about six to eight teams competed. The number of teams participating varies every year, but there have been some years with close to a dozen from around the Pittsburgh area.

For the competition every year, Blake said that they help teach manners and try to build confidence.

“At this age, the young ladies are impressionable,” Blake said. “Cheer can have a huge impact and help shape their character. We also teach violence prevention and self-affirmation to help them build confidence and become strong student-athletes.”

Tags: Penn Hills