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KINSTON, N.C. — Northside High School’s cheerleading squad took home two victories in events held at the 2025 Cheer in the New Year Invitational last Saturday at Lenoir Community College in Kinston.

The Panthers and Northeast Elementary competed in the event and plaques were given out in different categories. Northside took first in Varsity Traditional Tumble and Longest Stunt Hold in a Full by a Team of Four.

“They went against at least 10 other teams and lasted the longest,” Northside coach Jackie Small said. “Not only was this first-place win special, but three of the four in this stunt team were our graduating senior captains. This was a special first-place win they earned together.”

The team that won was Trinity O’Neal (flyer), Sierra Minor (base), Addyson Davenport (base) and Kamryn Lewis (backspot). O’Neal also made it to the top three in the varsity division of the jump competition.

The other varsity cheerleaders who participated included: Khloe Hewitt, Mackenzie Conaway, Makenly Whaley, Noel Dew, Allyssa Rose, Lexi Hudson, Bree Edwards, Elle Quidley, Ella Wells, Shyla DeJong, Mallory Robison and Kinsleigh Sawyer.

Northeast Elementary took part in its first cheerleading competition in years, Small said. They took part in a non-tumbling division.

“While we did not place at this competition, it is the first time Northeast has attended a cheerleading competition in many, many years,” said Small, who coaches the team along with assistant coach Kayla White. “The girls went out and performed their routine flawlessly. Kayla & I could not be more proud.

“We added this competition to our season right before the holidays, and when we returned from break, the girls had less than two weeks to learn and perfect their routine. They performed in front of hundreds of people on Saturday a routine they just learned when they got back from vacation, and they did it effortlessly. For us, that was a win in itself.”

Members of the Northeast team include: Avalyn Small, Emily Neria-Bell, Abagail Cahoon, Deyanira Torres, La’Vareyah Mitchell, Alice Gibbs, Natayah Davis, Tyleia Owens, Addy Lassiter and Amia Liverman.