Lake Oswego, which usually competes in the Traditional division, will be in the Game Day division for the first time this year.

It was a busy fall season for many cheerleading teams across the state.

It was filled with Friday night football games, the OCCA All-State Competition and the OCCA Game Day Championships.

However, the work hasn’t ended. Cheer teams across the state continue to fill their winter season competing at state qualifying competitions on the weekends as well as cheering for basketball games and supporting other sports at their school. The schedule of a high school cheerleader never slows down. 

In October, the OCCA All State Competition crowned individual champions at South Albany High School; there were some new and some repeat champions. New champions include Mikayla Van Order from Santiam Christian, Mya Jones from Westview, and Blake McKinnis from Gladstone. Repeat winners include Hailey Albinio from Newport and Addy Pickles from Lebanon. 

The OCCA also crowned stunt champions at the All State Competition. Tualatin claimed both top spots in the Partner and Coed Stunt divisions, Sweet Home won in the 4/3/2/1A division, Lebanon took home their 3rd straight title in 5A and Newberg continued their impressive 12 year streak in the 6A group stunt division.

In November, the OCCA crowned their Game Day champions at Sherwood High School. Winners include Jefferson (3/2/1A), Gladstone (4A), Churchill (5A Small), Thurston (5A Med/Lg), David Douglas (6A Small), Westview (6A Medium), Lakeridge (6A Large) and Roosevelt (Stomp). Jefferson, Churchill and Thurston will be looking to add a Game Day title to their resume at the OSAA Game Day State Championships in February.

With six weeks of state qualifying events finished, there are some teams looking strong for repeat titles and some teams hungry to be crowned the new champion. 

In the Game Day divisions, reigning champion Baker looks strong in the 4/3/2/1A division, but former champion, Scio, is looking to take the title back. In the 6/5A division, last year's champion has not returned to defend their title, but the 2023 Co-Champions (Central and Thurston) are fighting their way back to the top spot.

In the Traditional divisions, the reigning 3/2/1A champions, Yamhill-Carlton, are fighting to retain their title, but Santiam Christian is proving to be a strong adversary. In the 4A division, the top two teams from last year, Newport (1st) and Sweet Home (2nd), are duking it out again and it will come down to what they put on the mat in February. 

Crescent Valley dethroned the two-time 5A state champion, Lebanon, last year, and the two teams are looking at another tight race this year. Newberg looks strong in their fight for their 12th state title in the 6A Small division, but that is also the second largest traditional division, and everyone wants to beat the champion.

Reigning 4/3/2/1A Coed champions, Gladstone, continue to look strong in their division, but eight other teams are working hard to take home the blue trophy. McMinnville always shows up strong at state and will return to defend their title in the 6/5A Coed division, but Tualatin has taken second place to them for the last two years and they are coming in hot this season. 

The 6A Large division has first time champion, West Linn, returning to defend their title. However, Westview has rejoined that division and they are looking to take the title back.

There are two weeks of competition left until the 2025 OSAA State Cheerleading Championships. Former champions are looking to finish on top once more, but new contenders are sure to reveal themselves.