Edgewood Academy’s cheerleading team put together quite the weekend.
Competing in the AISA Cheerleading Camp held at Troy University, Edgewood claimed the Large Squad State Championship while the junior varsity team claimed the Medium Squad First Runner Up.
The varsity team entered the competition with 15 cheerleaders, which put them in the Large Squad category for the first time. They quickly took complete control of the new category by finishing first place in Cheer and Game Day, earning them first place overall.
“The large squad was uncharted territory for us,” Edgewood coach Abbie Davis Mercer said. “We set a goal for this back in February when he had tryouts and we knew competing in the bigger division would be tough, but the girls were up for the challenge and wouldn’t accept anything less.”
While the team accomplished its major goal, a lot of the players heard their names called for individual awards at the conclusion of the camp. Eleven out of the 15 varsity members were named either UCA All-Americans or AISA All-Stars.
Avery White, Baylie Barrett, Harlie Barrett, Emerson Boddie and Payton Williams all earned UCA All-American honors. The AISA All-Stars were Ava Baxley, Caroline Kennedy, Elizabeth Ellis, Boddie, Kinsey Overton and Kori Bence.
On the JV team, Avery DeFoor, River Westbrook and Kendyl Dennis were named UCA All-Americans.
“I think it says a lot about our program and how well rounded these girls are to go out there and win individual awards as well,” Mercer said. “We don’t put emphasis on the individual goals, but it’s awesome to see that many names called at the end of the week.”
One of the best individual camps came from Baylie Barrett.
Not only did she earn UCA All-American status, but she was also named the Jump Off Winner and earned a Pin it Forward award.
This was her second-consecutive year to win the jump off. Each team is able to select two members to participate in the competition, and Edgewood selected sisters Baylie and Harlie.
The Barrett sisters then beat every single other competitor before having to face each other in the championship round. Baylie earned the win over her sister in the finals.
“That’s two years in a row of Baylie winning it,” Mercer said. “Baylie is such a hard worker as is, so that just shows how good she is when she goes against the entire camp and takes the trophy home.”
Elizabeth Ellis and Adalie Paulene also earned Pin it Forward honors.
Pin it Forward is one of the special duties of a UCA Camp staffer to recognize a camper for a quality that makes them stand out. The award can be awarded at any time throughout camp and for any reason, but specific qualities that camp staff seek out are stepping up to be a leader, setting a good example for their peers, going above and beyond in classes, having a great spirit and smiling.
Even though the state championship has already been decided for the 2024-2025 school year, Edgewood’s squad will not take any breaks. The girls will continue working throughout football and basketball season before tryouts for the new school year take place again next February.
“This is the time when our program is built,” Mercer said. “If you’re returning next year, we practice throughout the football and basketball season to help build our program. You can’t just practice from February to June. It’s a year-round thing for us.”
