Updated: 11/14 to correct a name

The Charles Henderson varsity Cheerleading squad competed and won first place at the International Peanut Festival in Dothan.

“The hard work paid off,” said head cheer coach Michelle Armstrong. “We have been working on that routine since the end of September. When you work that hard and they do the best they have done, it is a good feeling.”

The Trojans competed in the Medium Varsity division and had to be part of a routine that lasted two minutes and thirty seconds. The Trojans routine consisted of a cheer, dance, stunts and tumbling.

The squad had cheered at the playoff football game in Mobile the night before and had to drive through the night to be able compete in the competition.

“I was impressed,” Armstrong said. “We got to Dothan around 2 a.m. and had to get up and be ready by 8 a.m. That says a lot about how hard they worked.”

The Trojans have been working as team since May and Armstrong is impressed with what the team has accomplished since then.

“From what they have been able to do from May until Saturday has been impressive,” Armstrong said. “They have grown and worked on their strength. They have worked in our weight program with Coach (Chuck) Dunn and that has made a huge difference in their strength and stamina.”

The Trojans were happy to be able to represent the City of Troy and Charles Henderson High School at the competition.

“That is good especially because it’s a local competition,” Armstrong said. “Everyone knows who Charles Henderson because of all their sports and now they know the cheerleaders are competitive as well.”

The win for the Trojans gives them a quality championship under their belt to give them confidence moving forward.

“That is a competition that will build us for next year,” Armstrong said. “That gives us one good one under our belt. It’s a positive step in the right direction.”

Wesley Arrington also won the individual jump competition where he competed against eight other cheerleaders.

Members of the Charles Henderson High Cheerleaders are: Sarena Atkins, Logan Davis, Lexi Sanders, Lela Gibson, Brejhada Smith, Adasia Berry, Lendon Adamson, Allison Dubose, Gracie Scarbrough, Sidney Armstrong, Ali Ellis, Madison Shelton, Abby Lee, Hannah Huner and Wesley Arrington.