Diverse group creates big competition

Varsity Cheer (Greenville) - CNO Photos by Dylan Knoop

Diverse group creates big competition
Cheer comp brings out the best
By George Starks

GREENVILLE- The 2014 Great Darke County Fair kicked off in its usual fashion with the annual cheerleading competition.

Thirteen schools were represented with seven county schools in the competition and six out of county schools.

Lincolnview (Van Wert) was the furthest to drives while he closest was Covington.

Now in its 24th year at the fair, the competition has become a huge part of the biggest festival in the country.

“It’s great to have such a diverse group of schools come here to the fair,” said long time board member Velma Campbell. “I’ve been with the competition since it started and this whole contest means a lot to me.”

With Lincolnview, National Trail, Piqua, Covington, Ft. Recovery and Houston making the trek to Greenville, Campbell was very happy to see the out of county interest.

“I think it says a lot for our fair when half the schools here are from outside the county,” said Campbell. “The good thing is that they can come here and get ideas from the other schools that might help them in their routines. It really helps the sport, and I’m going to call cheerleading a sport,

With the different schools coming to the fair, Campbell talked about what it does for the greatest fair in the country.

“This competition does a lot for the fair and if you look in the grandstands, you would notice a lot of people being here that normally aren’t here every year,” Campbell stated. “It brings people from all over in here to watch these girls. It adds to our bottom line and adds to the overall excitement of the fair. I’m pleased and very happy with the turnout today.”

Eight different divisions were contested with a spirit award being awarded to National Trail. Also, the firstt ever grand champion trophy was awarded to Kelsea Allenbaugh of Linconview.

The Lady Lancer received the highest marks of all of those performing on the day.

Allenbaugh won the high school individual performance competition.

The team and individual results are as follows:
Pee Wee Cheer- Tri-Village
Pee Wee Dance- National Trail
Junior High Individual- Kylie Homan (Lincolnview)
High School Individual- Kelsea Allenbaugh (Lincolnview)
Junior High Dance- Mississinawa Valley
Junior High Cheer- Lincolnview
Large Varsity Dance- Franklin Monroe
Large Varsity Chreer- Greenville