The gymnasium at Pike Liberal Arts School will soon have some new decoration.

A new banner signifying the cheerleading squad as the “2012 AISA State Cheer and Dance Champions,” will be hung soon.

Head coach Mendy Avant said that the championship was an awesome way to send off the seniors.

“I am really proud of these seniors,” said Avant. “It is an awesome way to send them out, but for the underclassmen it is something to build on and get better.”

The squad won the 3A division competition at the Montgomery Performing Arts Center last Saturday. Avant said that the win means even more after the adversity of the last two seasons.

“We were going to do this the last two years,” said Avant. “We had injuries or something come up last minute both times, and to finally get there was great.”

The cheerleaders were judged on a variety of different techniques including incorporations, leading the crowd, tumbling, jumps, partner stunts, pyramids, dance, overall cheer presentation and overall effect.

Avant said though the state title competition has come and passed, the members of the squad are excited about the rest of the season.

“We had this competition, then homecoming is coming up soon and we still have basketball season to go,” said Avant. “The girls are just super excited.”

Avant was quick to give credit to the cheerleaders and some of her assistants.

“Katie Scott has been a huge help,” said Avant. “She has come in and helped the girls along and choreographed some of our dances.”

Avant said that she was overwhelmed with the performance and said that she still has a smile on her face from it.