PHOTO BY: ANDY ADAMS/Lufkin ISD
Lufkin High School is proud to announce that their cheerleading team has been selected to compete at one of the nation’s most prestigious cheerleading competitions, NCA High School Nationals, produced by National Cheerleaders Association (NCA). NCA is a division of Varsity Spirit – the global leader in cheerleading, dance team and band apparel, camps and competitions, and a division of Varsity Brands, the market leader in team sports, school spirit and achievement recognition.
The NCA High School Nationals will be held at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center on January 22-23, 2022. All teams invited to perform at the championship received eligibility at a Varsity Spirit Camp in 2021. Teams were credentialed in cheer safety and leadership training, endorsed by the National Federation of High School Sports (NFHS), as well as in the areas of crowd leading, spirit raising, ambassadorship, athleticism, and entertainment.
“We are excited to again host safe, in person events where teams from across the country can earn the opportunity to compete at NCA High School Nationals” said Bill Seely, President of Varsity Spirit.
“These incredible athletes spend over 90% of their time focused on building engagement in their schools, and they’ve learned to navigate that in new and innovative ways in the last eighteen months. We are thrilled to be able to produce a world-class event where we can recognize and reward these incredible young people for their contribution to their schools and communities, dedication and talent,” said Seely.
Squad members will travel as a team to Dallas, TX to compete in the Large Intermediate Performance Division where they will demonstrate school pride and athleticism on the competition floor. In addition to competing for a national championship, teams will enjoy exploring all that Dallas has to offer and have the opportunity to meet other cheerleaders from across the nation.
“After two difficult school years and not being able to compete as normal, our athletes are hungry for an opportunity to demonstrate their skills and represent Lufkin High School. The LHS Cheerleaders balance a busy schedule supporting and cheering at nearly all the high school sporting events and make time for their own competition team practices. This competition will give our cheerleaders an opportunity to show that they are more than just a school spirited-side line team; our athletes are incredibly talented and can compete against the best high schools in Texas. We are Lufkin Panther Proud, and we are ready to put on a show!” says Lufkin HS Head Cheerleading Coach Kirstie Russell.
The team consists of 25 athletes:
| Jayme Cates | Aubrey Lindsey | CiNya Berry |
| Desirae Giles | Madelyn Boudreaux | Madison Durant |
| Lexie Foley | Emily Meshell | Tiana Sparks |
| Adisen Massie | Chloe Williams | Emma Walker |
| Claire Berry | Iyonna Card | Tania DelaTorre |
| Analicia Enriquez | Mattie Nicholson | Abagail Morton |
| Branya Pennington | Danica Barrera | Analise DelToro |
| Lendsey Ortega | MaKenzi Delaney | Reagan McDonald |
| Alexis Pelletier |
“We look forward to representing Lufkin HS and seeing where our cheer team ranks amongst some of the BEST in Texas,” said Coach Russell.
For more information on NCA High School Nationals, please visit Varsity.com. Varsity Spirit will live stream the championship on Varsity TV, a website dedicated to exclusive live coverage and video libraries of Varsity Spirit cheer and dance competitions. Videos of the routines are available for fans who were otherwise unable to attend, and full results listings will be available.
About Varsity Spirit
Memphis-based Varsity Spirit, the driving force behind cheerleading’s dynamic transformation into the high-energy, athletic activity it is today, is the leading global source for all things spirit, including cheerleading, dance team and performing arts. A division of Varsity Brands, Varsity Spirit is a leader in uniform innovation, as well as educational camps, clinics and competitions, impacting more than a million athletes each year. Focused on safety, entertainment and leadership, Varsity Spirit’s employees have been dedicated to celebrating spirit through its brands since 1974. For more information about Varsity Spirit or Varsity Brands, please visit varsity.com or varsitybrands.com.