In the News: Newberg Tiger cheerleaders on top

Newberg’s performance Saturday at the OSAA cheerleading state championships was a long time coming. After dominating during the regular season the past two years, the Tigers entered the event as the favorites only to have a mistake here or there derail their performance and relegate them to second place each time.

This time was different, as Newberg finally broke through to win the Class 6A small division state title at Memorial Coliseum.

The Tigers received an average score of 70.75 from the judges to place ahead of Tualatin (66.03), Oregon City (64.38), Lakeridge (61.83) and South Salem (61.78).

Newberg scored especially well in dance/choreography, receiving the highest marks by far in the division from those two judges.

The Tigers’ marks in building skills were also more than five points higher than those received by Tualatin, while NHS posted the third-highest scores in the division for tumbling and jumps.

Other champions crowned on Saturday were Aloha in the 6A/5A large division, Thurston in co-ed, Albany in 5A small, Sweet Home in 4A large, Cascade in 4A small and Rainer in 3A/2A/1A.

By: Seth Gordon, Newberg Graphic