Kyle Lovern/WDN

The Mingo Central cheerleaders are shown in action on Tuesday night at the first home basketball game. They will compete for the Class AA state championship Saturday at the Charleston Civic Center. Tug Valley’s cheerleaders will try to win another state championship - this time in Class A. Tug Valley won the AA crown last year.

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Kyle Lovern

Sports Editor

It will be state tournament competition – cheerleading style this Saturday at the Charleston Civic Center and Mingo County will be well represented.

Both Mingo Central and Tug Valley won regional championships and will be taking the floor of the Civic Center in Charleston.

The Class A part of the event starts at 10 a.m., while the Class AA begins at 12 noon. Tug Valley won the Class AA state championship last year. After the new enrollment figures were released the school was placed in Class A this year.

Mingo Central will compete in the Class AA state cheering event. This will be the school’s first-ever appearance at the event. It is only the second season for the new consolidated school.

Tug Valley is coached by Tara Deskins-Ellis and the members of the squad include seniors Brittany Fitzpatrick, Shaunda Murphy, Farren Staten, Chelsea Sturgell, Whitney Sturgell; juniors Elizabeth Dotson, Danielle Gillman, Kristen Gillman, Kiersten Marcum, Victoria White; sophomores Lyndsey Horn, Hannah Marcum, Courtney Spaulding; freshmen Kathleen Damron, Allison Hanshaw, Skylar Hanshaw, Darah Maynard and Cassidy Runyon.

Teresa Cline and Beth Keatley coach the Mingo Central squad. The squad includes seniors Shawna Cline, Norma New, Candace Trent, juniors Makala Caldwell, Shandale Collins, Kennedy Curry, Jimmy Davis, Whittani Kirk, Kennedy Preece, Paige Tiller, sophomores Natalie Hagy, Brittany Stiltner and freshmen Ashia Cline, Tiarra Frazier, Shonta Holbrook, Haley Johnson, Lakin Reed, Jadrian Saunders and Katie Toops.