The Kirbyville Wildcat Cheerleaders are making history with their first-ever appearance at the National High School Cheerleading Championships in Orlando, Florida. This prestigious competition is the top high school cheerleading championship in the country.
The team will fly out on Thursday and take the mat on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. They will compete in the Medium Game Day, Non-Tumble DII Preliminary. If they advance, they will move on to the semi-finals on Sunday, with the finals scheduled for Monday.
The competition follows the same format as the state championship, requiring teams to perform a Band Chant, Cheer, and Fight Song. The Wildcats have been building toward this moment for years, having competed at the state level for nine consecutive years. They have consistently refined their routines, increased the degree of difficulty, and analyzed every performance to perfect their skills.
The Kirbyville Wildcat Cheerleaders have created a legacy of excellence. demonstrated outstanding success at the state level, earning top placements over the years:
- 2017: 4th place
- 2018: 11th place
- 2019: 10th place
- 2020: 4th place
- 2021: 4th place
- 2022: 3rd place
- 2023: 5th place
- 2024: 2nd place
- 2025: 2nd place
Several years ago, the team set a goal to finish in the top five at state, a goal they have achieved multiple times. Last year, they set their sights on Nationals, and now they are ready to compete on the national stage.
In preparation for Nationals, the Wildcats have competed in multiple competitions this season:
- UCA Regional Competition (Houston, November 1, 2024): 1st Place finish, securing a bid to Nationals. This was an improvement from last year’s 3rd place finish.
- Marcus Hearts for the Holiday Championship (December 8, 2024): Overall Grand Champion, along with Best Crowd Leading and Best Fight Song awards.
- Hardin-Jefferson Cheer Showcase (Sour Lake, Texas, January 5, 2025): Participated in a showcase event to fine-tune their routine before Nationals.
Although the Wildcats earned a bid to Nationals last year, they were unable to attend due to funding constraints. Determined to make it this year, the team has worked tirelessly to raise the $30,000 needed for travel and competition expenses. Their dedication and perseverance have paid off, and now they are ready to represent Kirbyville on the national stage.
The entire community is cheering them on as they take this historic step forward. Best of luck to the Kirbyville Wildcat Cheerleaders as they compete for national glory!
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