ST. CLAIRSVILLE — The Belmont County commissioners honored cheerleaders from St. Clairsville, Barnesville and Union Local high schools for their excellent 2024-25 seasons.

“I know you guys have had a lot of success in the last few seasons. We do very much appreciate that and don’t take it for granted,” Belmont County Commissioner J.P. Dutton said. “We do like to honor state champions here in the commissioner’s office throughout the year. And frankly, I think almost every year that I’ve been here at least, I think we’ve had a cheerleading squad here, at least one, to honor. We do really appreciate the hard work and dedication you guys put in all through the year.”

​​St. Clairsville cheerleading coach Kara Kapiskosky said this year marked the team’s fourth consecutive OHSAA state title and its 17the consecutive OVAC title. She added that the team also had its 14th state title awarded to it this year.

“We have a lot of returners, a squad of 28 this coming season, so a lot of talent that we have in the program this year will be returning. We’re very grateful, very blessed to have as many girls wanting to be a St. Clairsville school cheerleader,” Kapiskosky said. “We were a young squad this past year, and we have about six seniors on our squad this year. The bulk of our squad is sophomores and freshmen. So we will continue to be a young squad, but we’re very hopeful for this coming season.”

She added that this past season was her first year as the team’s coach and she is honored to have such a dedicated team. She also said that she is proud to be in a community like Belmont County that supports cheerleading.

“I’m very grateful that the community is so willing to recognize cheerleaders and that they took the time out of their day to do this for us. It was very special for me as a first-year coach, and I know the girls really appreciated it,” Kapiskosky said.

The Barnesville cheerleading coach was not present at the event, but the team was honored for winning the OVAC AAA Championship, as well as overall traditional grand champion, first place in traditional medium non-building and game day non-building at the Ohio Athletic Committee State Championships, and second place in game day and third place in traditional at the Universal Cheerleaders Association National High School Cheerleading Championships.

“Congratulations. It’s nice seeing everyone. This is my first term, so it’s the first time I’m seeing you, but I understand that a lot of you have been here before,” Belmont County Commissioner Vince Gianangeli said. “It’s very impressive. Just wanted to congratulate you all, and thanks for coming.”

The Union Local Jets squad was also honored for its achievements.

“We had a really successful season this past year. We have two teams, a traditional team and a game day team. We entered a new division, stunting, which is when you throw them in the air. We don’t throw them here, but we put it up in the air, and we did well with that. For our first season, we won the best in state competition,” Union Local cheerleading coach Amy Latham said.

She added that the 2024-25 team was the first in Union Local’s history to win OVAC.

Union Local’s cheerleaders also won an OHSAA state title and were runners-up at Nationals.