6 Chronicle Country teams to compete at competitive cheer finals

THOMAS GRANT JR.
chroniclesports@yahoo.com
Posted 12/17/20

In 3 seasons as Lexington High School competitive cheer head coach, Leigh Watson has led the program to back-to-back top 3 finishes at the state finals.

After a 2nd 1st place finish at the state …

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6 Chronicle Country teams to compete at competitive cheer finals

Posted

In 3 seasons as Lexington High School competitive cheer head coach, Leigh Watson has led the program to back-to-back top 3 finishes at the state finals.

After a 2nd 1st place finish at the state qualifier, she hopes the 3rd time is the charm this Saturday in the SC High School League state finals at the Florence Civic Center.

The Lady Wildcats are among 4 teams from Region 5-5A who placed in the Top 5 at the Class 5A qualifier this past weekend at Dorman High School. Archrival River Bluff finished in 2nd, followed by 15-time champion Chapin, St. James and Dutch Fork in 5th place.

“It’s a powerhouse region,” Watson said. “We are very strong in the Midlands.”

Lexington is seeking its 3rd state title since 2013, the same year River Bluff won its lone championship in Class 3A. Dutch Fork looks to win its 8th championship and 1st since 2017. 

Add Lexington School District 2 schools Airport and Brookland-Cayce and 6 Chronicle Country teams will compete for state titles Saturday. Airport last won in 1996. 

Gilbert also qualified for Class 3A, but will not compete due to covid-19 cases. 

This has especially proven true in the state finals where the Lady Eagles are to the sport what Dutch Fork is to football. The program is seeking to add to its state-record total as well as claim a 6th consecutive state championship.

Guided by 'heart'

Last season, Lexington emerged victorious in the Lower State, only to get edged out by Chapin.

Following last year’s title, it appeared head coach Vicki Williams was ready to retire on top.

That decision lasted just 1 week.

“I talked to several friends about it and they all said the same thing - ‘your heart will guide you’ - don’t  retire until you feel it in your heart.  I just could not let go.

“For the past 25 years, I have coached for 1 reason - the relationships I have made with the girls I coached. I felt I was not ready to give that up. I did not know at that point that the pandemic would hit and the challenges I would face.”

Both Watson and Williams acknowledged the challenges faced this past season dealing with team quarantines and other safety factors. This was especially the case for the 2-time cancer survivor Williams.

“This team has been so respectful of me, always wearing a mask around me,” she said. “I have learned to take 1 day at a time. I try to instill a strong work ethic in each girl I coach. I feel that self-discipline and a strong work ethic builds confidence and character.  2020 has been a challenge for all sports. I feel so lucky we have been able to have a good season and compete.”

Regardless of Saturday’s outcome, Watson and her team members feel “incredibly grateful to be doing the sport that we love.”

“A cheerleader said it best,” Watson said. “Every day we get to compete, it makes us feel like life is normal for a little while.” 

The Class 3A final begins at 10 am, followed by Class 4A at 2 pm and Class 5A at 6 pm. Tickets can be purchased online by visiting the SC High School League website at www.schsl.org.

Williams, Chapin, cheer, lexington

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