This past Saturday, Edina High School cheerleading hosted its tenth annual cheer Sweetheart Classic competition. The competition was started in 2005, and is one of the largest cheerleading competitions in the state of Minnesota. A variety of cheer teams competed from schools and clubs all over the midwest. According to the Director of the cheer program, and Dean of Students, Jenn Carter, teams there were 930 athletes who attended the competition.

The Middle School, JV, Varsity White, and Varsity Green Edina cheerleading teams competed.

The Edina Varsity Green team competed in the medium Varsity division, and placed first in that division, while the Edina Varsity White team competed in the super large varsity division, and placed second in their division.

Cheer teams practice throughout the year for local competitions such as the one Edina hosts.  “[Participation was] helpful for both teams in the sense that it helped Edina teams prepare for Nationals and other competitions. The Varsity teams use this competition to prepare for Nationals after the holidays,” said EHS senior, and main base on Edina Varsity White, Emma Selzler.

In addition to a great competition, spectators and cheerleaders got the chance to see the University of Minnesota’s award winning dance team, coed cheer team, and all girls cheer team perform as an exhibition at the competition.

This year, there were extra challenges with sharing the high school with the large Edina Model United Nations event, but,“wonderful parent volunteers, athletes, and years of experience [helped],” said Edina Varsity White coach, Kristen Zwieg.