LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) - The Allen County Fair hosted its annual cheerleading competition Wednesday in the fair grandstands.
Nine teams were on hand to compete for the coveted first-place trophy, with eight exhibition entrants also participating.
The athletes were judged on several criteria, including the execution and creativity of their cheer routines.
Leaps, bounds and backflips were all part of the competition as the cheerleaders displayed their athletic ability.
“So, we have nine competing teams, we have eight exhibition routines as well today, you're going to see an awesome display of athletic ability. A lot of people don't equate cheerleading as being a sport, and we're here today to prove that it is. These teams practice, some of them every single day. You're going to see a lot of tumbling, high flying skills, and a lot of precise routines, which is why they have to work so hard,” says Chelsea Leis, Event Coordinator, Allen County Fair Cheerleading Competition.
Bath won the youth division, Perry won the middle school division and Elida won high school honors, as well as the Spirit Award.
