KEA‘AU — The Central Pacific Bank/BIIF cheerleading championships were held Wednesday night at the Kea‘au High gymnasium, where a packed house witnessed high flying action and energetic routines.
All-girl category
Unlike most years, the top three finishers in the all-girl category qualified for November’s HHSAA state championship on O‘ahu. Last year, only the No. 1 team earned a berth.
Kamehameha Schools – Hawai‘i won the category — scoring 37.317 points with no deductions to win its second straight meet and take home the title. The Warriors led the category in tumbling and jumps with 9.5 points, and overall totals with 3.47 points.
KSH scored 13.4 points for building skills, trailing runner-up Kealakehe High’s 14.2. The Waveriders received a final score of 35.067 — which included 8.8 for tumbling and jumps, ten for cheer and 2.07 for overall totals.
Third place and the final state berth went to Waiakea High, which scored 32.317 points. The Warriors received 11.4 points for building skills, ten for cheer, nine for tumbling and jumps and 2.47 for overall totals — but suffered a half-point deduction.
Honoka‘a High finished in a close fourth place, and would have nearly tied Waiakea if not for a deducted full point. The Dragons received a final score of 31.117 — 12.5 for building, eight for tumbling and jumps, ten for cheer and 1.67 for overall totals.
In fifth place was Pahoa High’s squad of just three girls — who received the highest cheer total score, 13 points. The Daggers finished with a final score of 25.400, suffering no deductions.
Coed category
Hilo High’s cheerleaders erupted into tears and screams when it was announced that they had won their second straight BIIF title for the coed division.
The Vikings won with a dominant final score of 40.467 — boosted by their building skills score of 15.3, nearly five whole points above Kea‘au High and Konawaena High. Hilo received 9.2 points for tumbling and jumps, 2.97 for overall totals and 13 for cheer totals.
Second place went to Kea‘au, which finished with 34.450 points and no deductions. The Cougars tied Hilo’s tumbling and jumps score — but trailed with 10.8 points for building skills, 2.50 for overall totals and 12 for cheer totals.
Konawaena placed third at 30.350 points — matching Kea‘au’s building skills score, but falling behind with 8.5 points for tumbling and jumps, 1.80 for overall totals, ten for cheer totals and a 0.75 point deduction.
The state championship is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 6 a Stan Sheriff center in Honolulu.