The Kearney Cheer team is headed to the state competition after placing third on Saturday, October 3rd,at the Regional Cheerleading Competition at Liberty North High School.

The Bulldogs entered the regional meet with an unconventional preparation schedule. After spending the summer and fall emphasizing sideline presence, Kearney traditions and individual skill development, the team waited until the week of the competition to assemble its routine.

The approach was designed to reduce pressure and allow the athletes to rely on the skills and technique they had developed throughout the season. With less than a week to complete the routine, Kearney hoped to finish among the top five and secure a state-qualifying spot.

Despite a stunt that did not go as planned and cost the team 4.7 points in raw score, the Bulldogs completed the rest of the routine and finished third overall, just 1.7 points behind the first-place team.

Kearney posted some of the session’s highest marks in dance, creativity, performance and pyramids. The Bulldogs also “hit zero,” a competitive cheerleading term for completing a routine without deductions or penalties. Kearney was one of only three teams in the session to accomplish that Saturday.

The performance secured Kearney a place among the region’s top three teams and a trip to the state championship.

Kearney Cheer will compete for a state title Oct. 24 at the University of Missouri in Columbia.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.