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Eagle Cheerleaders Capture Class-A OVAC Title

By Staff | Feb 8, 2017

Photo by Cody Tomer The Magnolia High School cheerleaders perform at the OVAC Cheering Championships.

WHEELING – Four winning traditions continued Saturday at the OVAC Cheering Championships at WesBanco Arena, while one underdog picked up its first OVAC title in school history.

Wheeling Park garnered its fifth consecutive 5-A championship trophy and its eighth OVAC title in the last nine years, while Bishop Donahue won its sixth 1-A championship in a row in the Bishops final year of the program.

St. Clairsville also continued its winning ways by notching a tenth consecutive 4-A championship, while Toronto repeated in 2-A.

The surprise of the day came early on when Magnolia collected its first OVAC championship in school history, knocking off the defending three-time champion Linsly by a narrow 1.15 points.

“I don’t think there are any words to describe the elation that we felt now that we won,” Magnolia coach Jacqueline Clegg said. “We have never won an OVAC cheering championship in school history before and it means the world to the girls and to us.

Photo by Ron Heasley The Paden City Wildcats’ cheerleaders prepare to take the floor at the OVAC Cheering Championships, at WesBanco Arena.

“It was a little scary going in when you know you are the first team to go but we just told the girls to go out and do what they know and just raise the bar and that is exactly what they did.”

Magnolia assistant coach Marcie Cline was very thankful to have had the opportunity to witness history with such an amazing group of talented athletes.

“We are so thrilled for them,” she said. “It is all about them. They are a great group of kids and we already won before they even got on the court because they are such a great group.”

The Paden City Wildcats captured third place in the 1-A competition.

Wildcats’ Coach Hannah Shreve gave the high marks for their flair, their spirit and their skills.

“The girls did awesome,” she said. “They hit everything tight and clean. They could have not have done any better. Coach Kim Hizer and I are so proud of them. We got third and were between 5-6 points away from second place. We had a small squad this year consisting of 8 girls on competition team and one alternate girl.”

Paden City High School Principal Jay Salva offered praise to this talented group of Wildcats.

“I’m very proud of our cheerleaders. I know they worked hard and the hard work paid off. Hannah Shreve and Kim Hizer did a great job preparing the girls,” he said.

Miles Layton contributed to this article.