Bradford cheerleaders win first
NATIONAL CHEERLEADING COMPETITION

PHOTO PROVIDED TO THE COURIER Pictured are (Back, L to R): Jessica Heffner, Amanda O'Dell, Chelsea Houck and Alicia English; (front, L to R): Bethany Groves, Autumn Stone, Brittany Kizer and Coach Kelly Houck. Missing from the picture are Mallory Storelli and Mallory Wolverton.

The Bradford Central School District varsity cheerleaders placed first in the Champion Cheer Central 2008 Cheerleading National Competition held in Cleveland, Ohio March 7-8. More than 135 teams from across the United States competed.

The team won the overall small varsity division competition for teams of 10 members or less. The team also won the varsity co-ed stunt routine and placed third in the varsity all girls stunt routine. Bethany Groves placed second in the solo act competition for her routine that combined cheering, dancing and tumbling.

"It was an exciting weekend," said Coach Kelly Houck. "Bradford had the biggest cheering section in the audience. We had 75 parents and community members there to support us."