Lynchburg Girls Win National Cheer Championship

Hill City Athletics College Prep Cheer team makes history as first Virginia squad to secure national title.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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The Hill City Athletics College Prep Cheer team from Lynchburg, Virginia has won the National High School Cheering Championship in the 11-18 year old division, becoming the first team from the state to achieve this feat. The victory signals a growing trend of dedication and competitive spirit in Virginia's cheer programs, as well as the rise of college prep cheerleading.

Why it matters

This championship win highlights the increasing professionalization of cheerleading, with programs like Hill City Athletics focusing on preparing athletes for competitive and sideline cheering at the collegiate level. The substantial commitment required, both physically and mentally, underscores cheerleading's transformation from a sideline activity to a pathway for academic and athletic opportunities.

The details

The Hill City Athletics College Prep Cheer team secured the national title in the gameday competition held in Orlando. Coach Mariah Dailey has built the program with a strong emphasis on college preparation, with many athletes aspiring to earn scholarships. The team's success requires immense dedication, including intense conditioning, relentless practice, and the development of mental fortitude to perform under pressure.

  • The championship competition took place on February 10, 2026 in Orlando.
  • Hill City Athletics College Prep Cheer team won the national title in the 11-18 year old division.

The players

Hill City Athletics College Prep Cheer team

A cheer program from Lynchburg, Virginia that has become the first in the state to win a National High School Cheering Championship.

Mariah Dailey

The coach of the Hill City Athletics College Prep Cheer team, who has built the program with a strong focus on college preparation and helping athletes earn scholarships.

Lilli Reynolds

The team captain of the Hill City Athletics College Prep Cheer team, who emphasizes the intense conditioning and relentless practice schedule required for the team's success.

Jenn Glover

A parent of a Hill City Athletics College Prep Cheer team member, who dedicates significant time and resources to support the team's participation in competitions.

Kaiyah Seigla

A cheerleader on the Hill City Athletics College Prep Cheer team, who describes the surreal feeling of receiving the championship jackets.

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What they’re saying

“This is all I do. It takes a lot of conditioning. When we don't hit something, we run until we can't anymore. It's a lot of hard work, honestly. It's really hard.”

— Lilli Reynolds, Team Captain (newsy-today.com)

“pretty much every high school cheerleader's dream to wear”

— Kaiyah Seigla, Cheerleader (newsy-today.com)

“long practices, deep conversations with your coach and just like understanding if you want this you have to put in the effort and the time.”

— Kaiyah Seigla, Cheerleader (newsy-today.com)

What’s next

The Hill City Athletics College Prep Cheer team will continue to train and prepare for future competitions, with the goal of defending their national title and inspiring more young athletes in Virginia to pursue competitive cheerleading.

The takeaway

The historic win by the Hill City Athletics College Prep Cheer team underscores the growing professionalization of cheerleading, with programs increasingly focused on developing well-rounded athletes capable of competing at the collegiate level. This achievement serves as an inspiration for aspiring cheerleaders in Virginia and beyond, showcasing the dedication, mental fortitude, and community support required to reach the pinnacle of the sport.