DuBOIS — It hasn't taken the Moniteau competitive cheerleading program very long to get it right.

In only its third year of existence, the Warriors claimed their second consecutive District 9 championship Saturday at DuBois, winning the eight-team small school division.

“We won the KSAC title back on Dec. 7 and we've had a great season so far,” Moniteau coach Jacqie Tedeski said.

Eleven of the 15 girls on the squad were on the 2018-19 unit that won the school's first competitive spirit district title. The newcomers are senior Andy Eiler and freshmen Carmella Ryan, Molly Grossman and Ashlyn Baptiste.

The competition consists of a routine that involves 90 seconds of performing to music and a full minute of cheering.

Eiler is one of eight seniors on the squad, joining Cassie Allio, Samantha Broerman, Lexi Miller, Kendal Campbell, Amelia Thompson, Cassidy Claypoole and Grace Hazlet.

“Being such an experienced unit has certainly helped us,” Tedeski said. “I'm excited for the newcomers, too, especially the freshmen.

“We're not only winning. We're creating a foundation for future success.”

The Warriors have no juniors on the team. Sophomores are Victoria DeMatteis, Shayla Nagy, Lexi Lasichak and Kylee Surrena.

Moniteau has qualified for the PIAA Competitive Spirit Championships — beginning Friday in Hershey — for the third straight year. Karns City qualified as well, placing second in the four-team medium division at the District 9 Championships.

“We've got a girl injured and two others left the program over Christmas break,” Karns City coach Nicole Rottman said. “We're competing with 15 right now, but we registered for the medium division, so we have to stay there.

“I'm proud of the effort our girls put together.”

Like Moniteau, Karns City has advanced to the PIAA Competitive Spirit Championships every year it's had a program. Also like the Warriors, the Gremlins have yet to advance to the state's final round.

“That's the goal and I believe these girls can do it,” Rottman said. “We've had a competitive program for five or six years now.”

Ridgway won the medium division at the District 9 Championships.

Karns City has four seniors — Emily Chiappini, Lexie Livengood, Cassidy Nolan and Macy Stewart — on its roster. Juniors are Clare Bishop, Mira Codispot, Raechel Golling, Lilli Martin, Kirsten Mauthe, Shavon McCanna, Whitney Moore, Addison Ritzert and Jordan Rottman.

Sophomores are Cecelia Henry, Caroline Patsy, Kiara Simpson, Isabella Steele-Haller and Abby Stewart.

The competitive cheer season has gone on since last spring. Karns City had tryouts in March, Moniteau went to cheering camp in June.

“We've been practicing four or five days a week since October,” Tedeski said. “These girls are very dedicated to this. I've been coaching many of them for a few years in all-stars.”

Rottman said Karns City's team also cheers at football, boys and girls basketball games, along with its own practice.

“Practice is two or three days a week and they do games for two or three nights on top of that,” she said. “We also have high academic girls. These are very busy girls.”

Besides winning the district and KSAC titles, Moniteau won competitions at Laurel, St. Marys and Keystone this season, along with placing second at Indiana (Pa.) University.

The Warriors have also qualified for the UCA National High School Championships next month in Florida.

“We'll be going there for the first time,” Tedeski said. “We're all so excited. We set goals at the beginning of the year and we've been checking them off one by one.”

Melissa DeMatteis, Grant Grasha and Kelly Rugg are assistant coaches for Moniteau. Krista Ritzert is an assistant coach for Karns City.