CHERRY TWP — It took some planning and preparation, but competitive cheering has come to Moniteau High School.

The Warriors have put together their first varsity squad — 14 girls who will compete in the small school varsity division — and they plan on being competitive right away.

“Our goal is to qualify for the state meet in Hershey our first year and build from there,” coach Jacqie Tedeski said.

Tedeski is a 1998 Butler graduate and was a member of the Golden Tornado's competitive cheering squad. She is owner and coach of her own cheer and tumbling facility in Slippery Rock.

Many of the girls on Moniteau's roster have been under Tedeski's tutelage for a number of years already.

“There is definite talent here,” she said. “We've been working on getting this team at Moniteau for a couple of years now.

“The sport has grown so much since I was in school. Back then, Butler's regular cheerleaders were also the competitive cheerleaders. Now it's a separate squad. And a lot of schools around here have started programs in recent years.”

Seneca Valley, Mars, Karns City, A-C Valley and Keystone are among other high schools in the area with competitive cheering teams.

Moniteau also has 17 members on its Grade 6-8 competitive cheering team. Tedeski coaches that squad as well.

“The time is right to begin this program,” Moniteau athletic director John Stoughton said. “We have a lot of students interested and the team has already formed a boosters organization with officers.

“I expect these girls, and this program, will do very well.”

Brianna Powell is the only senior on the roster. She has been a cheerleader since age 8 and has been a football cheerleader throughout her high school career.

“I was the first Moniteau bantam cheerleader ever,” Powell said. “I wish we had started this team two years ago so I could have more time with it.

“I know we'll be good. We have so much tumbling experience and that will benefit us.”

Many of the girls are involved in other sports as well. Madyisn Clark, a junior, plays volleyball and softball. Emily Lewis, another junior, is on the volleyball team. Junior Abby Davis runs track.

Other softball players on the competitive cheer squad are juniors Amanda Dailey and Madison Cumberland, sophomores Lexi Miller, Kendal Campbell, Amelia Thompson and Cassidy Claypoole.

Miller, Thompson, freshman Haley Campbell and Emma Barkley are also involved in Dance n Drill. Junior Makayla Thiry and sophomore Grace Hazlet are also on the cheering squad.

“This is an athletic bunch. These girls are competitive to start with,” Tedeski said. “We have a good base that way.”

While the District 9 meet doesn't happen until the first week of January, the Warriors have been practicing since June. They get together once a week for a three-hour cheerleading practice and once a week for tumbling.

“We're working on the choreography for the high school team over these next two weeks,” Tedeski said. “From there, it will be practice, practice, practice.

“We already have four fund-raisers under our belt. We wanted to get those out of the way so we can concentrate on making the team better. Get to states in our first year, place among the top three at states within two or three years ... That's the plan.”

Volunteer assistant coaches for Moniteau include Melissa DeMatteis, Becky Claypoole, Jen Clark and Christine Fleeger.