The Wellsville-Middletown cheerleading team was back in state competition on Dec. 11.

This time, the Tigers got to travel as they participated in the Class 1A small-school division of the Missouri Cheerleading Coaches Association state contest at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau.

W-M didn’t leave Cape Girardeau with a state championship as it finished 11th. Still, coach Michelle Stroup was pleased with the way her cheerleaders finished.

“When they got down to Cape Girardeau, they performed so well and were so confident,” Stroup said. “They did everything that I was hoping they could do. They found their confidence. I hope they had a good time while they were doing it. They certainly looked great.”

Putnam County won the state championship. Neelyville, East Carter, Plattsburg and South Harrison rounded out the top five.

The Tigers competed at state for the second time in 10 months. In February, they placed eighth out of 11 teams in the small-school division at the state contest, which was held virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic. W-M returned to competition for the first time since 2017.

Seniors Riley Huff, Taren Justice, Lexi Kemp and Brooke Reichardt, sophomores Shelby Frank and Kristi Hager and freshmen Alyssa Beach and Aubrey Caldwell make up the W-M cheerleading squad.

Frank, Hager, Huff, Justice, Kemp and Reichardt returned from last year’s team that finished eighth in the state.

Stroup said one of the cheerleaders became ill before the state competition in Cape Girardeau, forcing the team to change its routine.

“Some things were different, but the girls worked so hard,” Stroup said. “I told them ahead of time that if we lost anybody, we would just have to forfeit because I didn’t think we would be able to pull it together and be able to do it. I didn’t think they would be able to learn different parts and what not. But they stepped up and they did a great job.”

Stroup said she’s thrilled to have Huff, Justice, Kemp and Reichardt back for their senior year.

“That’s great because they bring a lot of experience, a lot of knowledge and a lot of determination,” Stroup said. “But I also know that pretty soon I’m going to lose those four girls, so they will be hard shoes to fill. I can count on them to do what needs to be done.”

Stroup said Frank and Hager have improved tremendously from the 2020-21 season. They were the only freshmen on the squad a year ago.

“My sophomores are that much better this year than they were last year,” Stroup said. “They are responsible and they do exactly what I ask them. They work hard. They adapt to changes. I am really happy with what they do for me.”

Beach and Caldwell became strong additions since they joined the team in the beginning of the school year.

“My freshmen are doing great,” Stroup said. “They are the two flyers, the ones who go up in stunts. If we didn’t have them, we certainly would be in trouble. But being a freshman and being thrown into that position are difficult. They have come a long way and they did what I asked them to do. I have no complaints. I’m proud of them.”

W-M qualified for state by receiving an at-large bid in regional competition at St. Charles in October.