Athens Cheer is bringing home top honors after leaving it all on the mat. The Athens Cheer Program sent about 60 student-athletes to Orlando to compete for titles in the 2025 National High School Cheerleading Championship and International Cheer Union World Cheerleading Championship in Orlando.

These competitions are the pinnacle of cheerleading competitions for high school cheerleaders across the country. Competitions ran from Feb. 7-10. Teams were judged on spirit, crowd engagement, use of props and motions, stunt techniques, showcase ability, energy and more.

Athens Cheer, composed of two teams, placed as follows:

Athens High School Cheer Super Varsity

— 1st Place Super Varsity Division II Traditional/UCA National High School Cheerleading Championship (awarded Gold Medal and White Championship Jacket).

— 3rd Place Super Varsity ICU World School Cheerleading Championship (awarded Bronze Medal).

Athens High School and Athens Middle School Cheer Junior Varsity

— 2nd Place Junior Varsity Non-Tumbling Division II Traditional/UCA National High School Cheerleading Championship.

— 3rd Place Junior Varsity Non-Tumbling Division II Game Day/UCA National High School Cheerleading Championship.

The Athens Super Varsity and Junior Varsity Competition Cheer Teams earned their spot to compete at the national level after taking top honors at the Universal Cheer Association Space Center Regionals in the fall of 2024. This is the eighth year for Athens Cheer to compete at Nationals and the third consecutive year that Athens High School Cheer has brought home the Gold Medal and White Championship Jacket (‘23, ‘24, ‘25). Both the Athens High School and Athens Middle School Cheer teams fall under the leadership of Athens City Schools Cheer coordinator Gia Russell, Varsity Cheer coach Tasia Farmer and Junior Varsity Coach Ashley Lovelace.

“The support of our community, school board, superintendent, AMS and AHS principals, and Athletic Director are instrumental in our success. The coaches and athletes work year-round to compete at the highest level in this sport. I could not be more proud of the perseverance and dedication these girls have for each other and their sport, ” said Russell..

“We are so proud of all of our Athens Cheer teams and coaches and their hard work, dedication, and spirit. They did an amazing job representing Athens City Schools. It’s great to be a Golden Eagle,” said Beth Patton, superintendent of Athens City Schools.