Lebanon Warriors win state cheer title

Rookie team outscores two-time defending champions by nearly 4 points

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Lebanon's competition cheer squad won the school's first state championship in three years, delivering a performance that outscored two-time defending champion Crescent Valley by nearly four points in the state 5A Traditional cheer championships.

Why it matters

The Warriors' victory is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the young team, which included only four girls with previous state competition experience. The win marks an impressive achievement for the program and showcases the talent and determination of the Lebanon cheerleaders.

The details

Coach Jenny Pickles, in her 11th year with the team, said her squad was able to put aside the nerves and deliver their best routine of the season. The team's emphasis was on simply performing at their highest level, and they were able to outshine the competition with their skills and execution.

  • The state 5A Traditional cheer championships took place on Saturday, February 14, 2026 at Oregon City High School.
  • Lebanon's competition cheer squad won their first state title in three years.

The players

Jenny Pickles

The head coach of the Lebanon Warriors competition cheer squad, in her 11th year with the team.

Addy Pickles

A senior on the Lebanon Warriors team and a four-time All-State winner for the Oregon Cheer Coaches Association.

Crescent Valley

The two-time defending champion in the state 5A Traditional cheer championships, who were outscored by the Lebanon Warriors this year.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We knew we had a good routine, but the questions were, could we put the nerves aside? Could we hit it?”

— Jenny Pickles, Head Coach (sweethomenews.com)

“A lot of the teams in our division had the same skill set. They were solid teams and it was going to come down to who bring it at state, who hits their routine and what the judges are looking for.”

— Jenny Pickles, Head Coach (sweethomenews.com)

“The kids did a great job.”

— Jenny Pickles, Head Coach (sweethomenews.com)

What’s next

Next up for the Warriors is the USA Spirit Nationals in Anaheim, California, where they hope to give their best performance against hundreds of high school teams from around the nation.

The takeaway

The Lebanon Warriors' state cheer title victory is a remarkable achievement for a young team, showcasing their talent, dedication, and ability to perform under pressure. This win not only brings pride to the school and community, but also sets the stage for the team to potentially make a strong showing at the prestigious USA Spirit Nationals competition.