WINDSOR
Windsor High School’s cheerleaders leapt to first place out of six teams participating in the Conference 34 Competition on Oct. 20. The event was hosted by the Dukes at Georgie D. Tyler Middle School.

Goochland High School won second place, with Central Lunenburg High School at third.

These three top teams will advance to the 2A East Cheer Competition at East Rockingham High School on Saturday, Oct. 31, at noon.

The other cheerleaders came from Appomatox Regional Governor’s School, Chincoteague and Prince Edward high schools.

Dawn Carroll, who serves as the varsity cheer coach, explained in an email some of the Virginia High School League cheerleading competition guidelines.

• The maximum number of cheerleaders is 20;

• The minimum routine time is 2 minutes 30 seconds; and

• The maximum time is 3 minutes; music maximum time is 90 seconds.

“Routines are judged in the areas of stunts, pyramids, tumbling, jumps, dance and cheers,” Carroll wrote. “In each of these areas, skills are performed with varying degrees of difficulty. The more difficult the skill is, the more points a team receives. Teams are also scored based on how well they execute the skill they are performing. Teams receive deductions based on safety infractions, such as falls during tumbling or stunts, and rule violations, such as going under or over time limits or going out of bounds.”

She said that approximately 35 WHS alumni cheerleaders from 1995-2015 were in attendance to support the Dukes.

“Windsor persevered through several individual injuries this year and was successful in working as a team to perform their best routine so far this year,” Carroll said. “The crowd responded with spirited support as the Dukes performed their routine.”