KAPA‘A — The Waimea High School cheer squad under team captain Kyrie Linoz captured top honors during the Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation cheer championships at the Bernice Hundley Gym on the Kapa‘a High campus.
Performing before a panel of virtual judges, the Menehune cheer squad was consistent through the night, attaining points in the mid-90s through three of its judged routines. The squad was penalized five points and still clinched the KIF title with a total of 279.75 points.
The Menehune achieved 95 points for its first sequence, 95.75 points for its second, and 94 points for its third judged jump.
Kaua‘i High School finished in second with 263.50 points after getting no deductions on its three judged sequences. The Red Raiders finished with 89.25 points in its first jump, 89 points on its second sequence, and 85.25 points on its third jump.
Kapa‘a High School rounded out the competition with a total of 259.75 points following a nine-point deduction.
The Lady Warriors finished the night with 90.50 points on its first jump, 92 points on its second judged sequence, and 86.25 points in its third judged jump before the deductions.
Competition took place in a limited-audience setting, with each squad being allocated 100 tickets to distribute among family and friends. Final judging decisions were released on Friday.
With the victory, Waimea High School cheer squad will represent the KIF at the 2021 Zippy’s Hawai‘i High School Athletic Association Cheerleading Championships that will take place Dec. 18 at the Blaisdell Center on Oahu.
Student-athletes and coaches must be fully vaccinated or present a negative antigen or PCR COVID-19 test taken through a certified laboratory or under an approved certificate of waiver within 72 hours of the contest.
Spectators, allowed for the cheerleading championships, must be fully vaccinated with proof of vaccination along with a government-issued identification, or must show proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 48 hours prior to the event.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
