James Wood Cheer Team Earns State Tournament Berth

Posted: November 2, 2015
From Star staff reports

AMHERST — James Wood High School’s competition cheer team took third place at the 4A West Region championship at Amherst High School on Saturday.

The Colonels, the Conference 21A runner-up, now advance to next Saturday’s Group 4A state championship for the third consecutive year at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Siegel Center in Richmond.

William Byrd won the regional championship with 1991/2 points and Kettle Run (189) finished as the runner-up. James Wood followed in third (187), and Liberty (177) took the fourth and final state-qualifying berth.

“We missed runner-up by two points — we had three points deducted in second round — so that was a little disappointing,” said Tracy Copley, who has guided the Colonels to state berths in five of her seven seasons. “But I’m happy we’re advancing on and so proud of the team.”

James Wood’s competition cheer team includes: Keilena Burch, Ally Anderson, Elizabeth Bange, Henry Buchholtz, Grace Cooper, Toni Culp, Emily Funkhouser, Emma Hammond, Brianna Harper, Autumn Hott, Jamie Marcy, Danielle Martin, Emily McKee, Savannah McKee, Leah Newcome, Sarah Newlin, Danielle Ritter, Brooke Stautzenbach, Lauren Taylor and Hannah Teter.

Sherando placed fifth and Millbrook, the Conference 21A champ, followed in sixth.