For the second year in a row, the State Cheerleading Competition went to a format that has been very successful for the regional competitions that have started in the state - joining with an established cheerleading competition. Again this year, the Special Olympics Event joined the St. Athanasius Cheer Competition at Doss High School on February 27th.

In all, 19 Special Olympics squads from across Kentucky hit the mats with non-disabled squads from throughout the region, providing a unique atmosphere among Special Olympics competitions.

The event produced some tremendous competition among the squads, nowhere closer than in the Intermediate 1A Division, where Pleasure Ridge Park finished just nine points (or an average of 3 points per judge) ahead of the Christian County Eagles. Also, in the Advanced 1A Division the Louisville Llamas finished just 10 points ahead of the Pitt Bears for the overall division championship. Behind the Llamas and Bears, Pitt Academy edged the Gateway Eagles for the Bronze Medal by just five points.

The Spirit of Kentucky Lucky Stars complete their routine in the Elite Division.

The Louisville Flyers dominated the Advanced 1B Division, scoring 259.5 points. The total won their division by 25 points and was good enough to earn the Flyers the title of 2010 State Cheerleading Competition Grand Champion.

In the Unified Division, the host St. Athanasious team won the gold medal in their first ever season of Special Olympics competition, scoring 218.5 points.

One of the most coveted awards of the competition, the Special Olympics Spirit Award went to the Meade County Greenwaves. While the Grand Champion award went to the Louisville Flyers.

For more information about the Special Olympics Kentucky State Cheerleading Competition or the
Special Olympics cheerleading program, contact Kim Satterwhite, Program Director, at 800-633-7403 or via e-mail at ksatterwhite@soky.org