RATHDRUM - Lakeland High School varsity cheerleaders have a very good reason to jump - and flip, and tumble, and leap - for joy.

The co-ed stunt squad snagged the 4A championship title for the second time in three years at the Idaho High School Dance and Cheer State Championships in Nampa on March 21, while the pom squad placed fourth and the sideline team placed seventh, receiving the highest scores of the season.

This was Lakeland's fourth consecutive year to qualify and compete at state and the first time it placed in two categories since becoming a 4A school.

"This year was our best," said Debra Cashman, head coach of Lakeland High School Cheer.

The stunt group comprises five athletes: senior Erik Fesler, junior Claire Cashman, junior Brennen Moffett, senior Mikayla White and senior Jack Thompson. The team had to perform a 1-minute routine to music with nothing but stunts. The routine was evaluated on difficulty, execution, energy, showmanship and skill.

The 12-cheerleader pom team also performed a 1-minute routine to music that included a combination of dance and cheer motions using the traditional set of cheer poms. The performance was scored on difficulty of moves, formation changes, sharpness, creativity and use of poms, which involves "clean switching of poms between the girls," Cashman said.

"Coach Samantha Russo and I are extremely proud of our team this year," Cashman said. "They have worked hard and overcome all obstacles placed in front of them throughout the season. Half of our team is new to cheer this year, but they quickly became a dedicated and focused group of athletes."

The team practiced six to nine hours every week while also cheering at boys and girls basketball games, many times training and cheering five days a week. Cashman said despite the time commitment, the team improved its overall GPA, which is indicative of the team members' commitment to perform well in all aspects of their lives.

"We were grand champions at three of our five competitions, including at the district I and II qualifier," Cashman said. "We knew we had something special with this team. We were a little nervous with having so many new to cheer. Sometimes competing in a huge venue like the Idaho Center can be overwhelming for the new cheerleaders, but the veterans, led by our team captains Mikayla White and Erik Fesler, kept everyone focused and motivated to win.

"We hope they are as proud of themselves as we are of them. There wasn't a single person on the mat that didn't give 100 percent effort and our results reflected that awesome effort."