As a former cheer mom, I couldn’t let February go by without recognizing our local cheer teams.

Cheer is a sport that runs full throttle nearly ten months a year. These athletes—yes, athletes (try telling them otherwise and I’m fairly certain Zoe Ricciardi would hear you from her college campus and immediately respond with stats, facts, and a passionate rebuttal)—train relentlessly until muscle memory takes over across multiple routines and varying levels of difficulty.

They practice until they’re bruised, get smacked by cheer signs, and sometimes face the ultimate challenge: cheering in front of a crowd with the energy level of a doorknob. And yet, they do it anyway. They cheer in the rain, the cold, and the sweltering sun. They cheer for basketball games, football games, pep rallies, elementary school events, town parades—and when their team is strong, they cheer loudest for one another.

All of that dedication leads to one unforgettable moment each year: the trip to Disney World’s ESPN Wide World of Sports. Simply earning a bid to UCA Nationals is an achievement worth celebrating, complete with mouse-ear headbands and plenty of Dole Whip. For several local teams, however, the celebration went even further.

At the middle school level, Sumner County teams delivered extraordinary performances, with multiple schools earning national titles at the 2026 UCA National Championship. Liberty Creek Middle School captured championships in both the Large Junior High Division II Traditional and Game Day routines. Ellis Middle School earned the top spot in the Junior High Spirit Program Division I, while T.W. Hunter Middle School claimed the Small Junior High Intermediate Division I title. Station Camp Middle School rounded out the wins with a national championship in the Division II Junior High Spirit Program Game Day division.

The momentum continued at the high school level, where teams from across the region showcased talent, grit, and composure on one of cheer’s biggest stages at the 2026 UCA National High School Cheerleading Championship.

Greenbrier High School competed in Division II, earning a bronze medal (3rd place) in the Large Non-Tumble division. According to February 2026 reports, the Bobcats delivered three zero-deduction routines in Orlando—an impressive demonstration of discipline and precision.

Hendersonville High School turned in a standout performance, making finals in both of their routines and finishing 4th in Spirit Program Game Day and 5th in Super Varsity All Girl, an impressive dual-finals achievement.

White House High School's cheer team finished 7th in the nation in their division after rallying from a 9th-place finish on Friday night. The team later shared they left their “hearts and souls on the mat,” a sentiment that perfectly captured the spirit of the competition.

Gallatin High School also represented the community well, competing in the Large Varsity Non-Tumbling Division I Game Day semifinals, adding to a strong regional showing at Nationals.

As these teams return home with national titles, podium finishes, and unforgettable memories, let’s make sure they feel the pride of the communities they represent. Show up to games. Applaud a little louder at pep rallies. Share their wins, celebrate their hard work, and remind these athletes that their dedication matters long after the final routine hits eight counts. Supporting local cheer isn’t just about trophies—it’s about lifting up the young people who give so much heart to our schools and our towns.

(Cover Photo: Station Camp Middle School's Cheer Team)