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Sussex County teams garner awards at cheer compeition

| 20 Feb 2013 | 02:20
    Photo by George LeRoy Hunter The Jefferson Township High School cheerleaders arrive.
    Photo by George LeRoy Hunter The Jefferson Township High School cheerleaders arrive.
    Photo by George LeRoy Hunter Gymnast Jada Smith, 12, of Sparta, performs in an exhibition. Smith trains at Westys Gymnastics in Franklin.
    Photo by George LeRoy Hunter Gymnast Jada Smith, 12, of Sparta, performs in an exhibition. Smith trains at Westys Gymnastics in Franklin.
    Photo by George LeRoy Hunter The Sussex Middle School cheerleaders arrive. The Rams won overall in all categories.
    Photo by George LeRoy Hunter The Sussex Middle School cheerleaders arrive. The Rams won overall in all categories.
    Photo by George LeRoy Hunter The Franklin Borough School Ram mascot in the spotlight.
    Photo by George LeRoy Hunter The Franklin Borough School Ram mascot in the spotlight.
    Photo by George LeRoy Hunter Members of the High Point Regional High School Wildcats cheer team practice steps.
    Photo by George LeRoy Hunter Members of the High Point Regional High School Wildcats cheer team practice steps.
    Photo by George LeRoy Hunter Gymnast Alexi Ahmadi, 12, of Hamburg performs in an exhibition. Ahmadi trains at Westys Gymnastics in Franklin.
    Photo by George LeRoy Hunter Gymnast Alexi Ahmadi, 12, of Hamburg performs in an exhibition. Ahmadi trains at Westys Gymnastics in Franklin.
    Photo by George LeRoy Hunter The Wallkill Valley Elite Cheer team perform during an exhibition.
    Photo by George LeRoy Hunter The Wallkill Valley Elite Cheer team perform during an exhibition.
    Photo by George LeRoy Hunter The Franklin Borough School Rams cheerleaders and a few members of Wallkill Valley Elite pose for a portrait. Franklin received a 1st degree of excellence in the Cheer Division and Cheer Dance Division.
    Photo by George LeRoy Hunter The Franklin Borough School Rams cheerleaders and a few members of Wallkill Valley Elite pose for a portrait. Franklin received a 1st degree of excellence in the Cheer Division and Cheer Dance Division.
    Photo by George LeRoy Hunter The Sussex Middle School Rams cheerleaders were the overall winners of the 2013 Wallkill Valley Invitational. The school is located on Loomis Avenue in Sussex.
    Photo by George LeRoy Hunter The Sussex Middle School Rams cheerleaders were the overall winners of the 2013 Wallkill Valley Invitational. The school is located on Loomis Avenue in Sussex.
    Photo by George LeRoy Hunter The Ogdensburg Elementary School Bears cheer team won 2nd degree of excellence in the middle school Cheer Division and Cheer Dance Division.
    Photo by George LeRoy Hunter The Ogdensburg Elementary School Bears cheer team won 2nd degree of excellence in the middle school Cheer Division and Cheer Dance Division.
    Photo by George LeRoy Hunter The Our Lady of the Lake cheer team won 2nd degree of excellence in the middle school Cheer Division and the Cheer Dance Division.
    Photo by George LeRoy Hunter The Our Lady of the Lake cheer team won 2nd degree of excellence in the middle school Cheer Division and the Cheer Dance Division.

HAMBURG — Several teams from Sussex County competed in the cheer competition, the 2013 Wallkill Valley Invitational, which took place Feb. 15, 2013 at the Wallkill Valley Regional High School in Hamburg.

Franklin Borough School, Our Lady of the Lake, Ogdensburg School, Sussex Middle School, Jefferson High School, High Point Regional High School and Wallkill Valley Elite cheer teams attended the event. Sussex Middle School won the overall title.

The Wallkill Valley Rangers cheer team did not compete but put on an exhibition. All competing teams performed short but intense routines involving dance and acrobatics.

Local gymnasts Alexi Ahmadi, 12, of Hamburg and Jada Smith, 12, of Sparta also performed an exhibition to rousing applause. Both girls train at Westys Gymnastics of Franklin. Ahmadi and Smith recently earned top honors at U.S. Association of Independent Gymnastics Clubs competition.

The U.S. Association of Independent Gymnastics Clubs competition took place in Hardyston Township. Ahmadi tumbled to a first place finish on floor exercise (9.3) and placed second on vault (9.1), uneven bars (7.5), balance beam (9.0). Ahmadi placed second all-around with a 34.9.

Smith posted a first place performances on vault (9.4), uneven bars (9.4) and balance beam (9.25) and a second place finish on floor exercise (9.1). Smith also posted a very impressive score of 37.15 in the all-around to finish in first place. These gymnasts have qualified to compete at the USAIGC New Jersey State Championship in their respective divisions. The championship will take place in Wildwood in May.

Proceeds from the 2013 Wallkill Valley Invitational 50/50 raffle is slated to buy food items for the Sussex County Social Services Food Pantry.

Team award winners
Cheer Division 7th & 8th grade

Our Lady of the Lake and Ogdensburg both received a 2nd degree of excellence.

Franklin received a 1st degree of excellence and Sussex was the overall champ.

Cheer Dance Division 7th & 8th grade

Our Lady of the Lake and Ogdensburg both received a 2nd degree of excellence.

Franklin Borough School received a 1st degree of excellence and Sussex Middle School was the overall champ.

High School All Music
Jefferson Township High School.

High School Cheer/Dance
High Point Regional High School.

— Photos by George LeRoy Hunter