Chesapeake, Northeast, Glen Burnie Cheerleaders Win Titles At Reach The Beach National Meet

With a change in format and no state championship meet this winter season, the Northeast and Chesapeake cheerleading teams went big by competing at the Reach the Beach Nationals cheerleading competition in Ocean City over the weekend of February 24.

Northeast took first place in the Varsity Small B Intermediate division, and Chesapeake took first place in the Varsity Medium Advanced division.

The national competition drew teams from throughout the region as one of the top cheerleading competitions in the country. Glen Burnie, Severna Park and Arundel also competed at the meet, with the Gophers also taking home a first-place trophy in the Varsity Small Intermediate division.

The Eagles competed twice in one day to place first in a field of nine teams. For many of the Eagles, it was their first time competing at a larger meet featuring top competition from within and beyond Maryland.

For Northeast’s seniors, the first-place team finish was a crowning achievement to cap their Eagle careers.

“This was the first time for many of our girls to compete at a larger competition,” said Eagles coach Dana Jefferson, “so for them to go out in a large arena in front of their family, friends and other spectators was a big deal for the Northeast Eagles — and for them to pull off a first-place title was even more of a success. It was a proud moment for our girls and our coaching staff to be able to walk out of the arena with championship jackets. We could not be more proud of them and all the hard work they have done this season. I couldn’t be happier with their last performance and I believe they would say they feel the same way.”

The Cougars viewed the lack of a winter state championship as an opportunity, branching out to compete in seven total events throughout the season, culminating with the Reach the Beach Nationals. Chesapeake took first place in all seven of its meets this season and capped the winter by winning first place out of eight teams in the Varsity Medium Advanced division at Reach the Beach.

The Cougars also achieved the distinction of High Score and the title of Grand Champions as the top-scoring team out of all 26 Advanced teams of all sizes to compete at the meet.

Chesapeake won the program’s 15th county championship in January and produced a season of only first-place finishes. The Cougars were also county champions during the 2017 fall season. 

“We set our goals very high at the beginning of our winter season and wanted a repeat of last winter where we finished undefeated all season,” said Chesapeake head coach Lisa Elliott. “I am super proud to say that we reached our goal and came out of all seven events we attended in first place.”

The Reach the Beach meet held competitions for different age groups as well. The Chesapeake JV team competed and took first place in their division, and the Panthers Athletic Club brought five youth teams to compete. The 8U Tiny Paws and the 14U Blackout both placed first in their division, while the 10U Untamed and 12U Wrath both placed second in their divisions and the 6U Lil Kitties placed fifth.

Glen Burnie’s varsity team practiced with Chesapeake’s varsity team in the week leading up to the meet. In addition to placing first, the Gophers won the Grand Champions title over 30 teams in the Intermediate division. Both schools received $800 prizes for the Grand Champions achievement.

Both Elliott and Jefferson noted the camaraderie of the Anne Arundel County schools and the high level of excellence that the area is known for at state and national levels.

“All in all, it was a great weekend where lots of memories were made,” said Elliott. “The competition was tough, but our local teams pulled it together to show teams from many other states what we are made of. Feeling very lucky and proud to be a part of something so amazing, and beyond proud of our kids, our coaches and love the top-notch support system of our incredible parents. The combination of all these wonderful things is what our Panther and Cougar family are all about.”

Jefferson noted that an Anne Arundel County varsity team took first in all three different divisions and said the county’s cheerleading prowess is a source of pride for all.

“Here we all were at a national event and in the three divisions where an Anne Arundel County team competed, all three of us walked away with national championship jackets and a first-place title,” said Jefferson. “I think that our county, athletic directors, and coaches should all be proud of that accomplishment and what it means.”

She added that the Eagles hope to use this victory as a springboard for continued success in the future.

“Our cheerleaders worked hard to get to nationals at Reach the Beach,” she said. “Our coaching staff is looking forward to an exciting new year.”