Western Hills cheer team earns bid to UCA National Championship

Getting your

The Western Hills High School cheer team recently placed second at the Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA) Ohio Regional Competition and earned a bid to the UCA High School National Cheerleading Championship.

The competition will take place Jan. 29-31 at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. WHHS will compete in the Small Varsity Intermediate Division. The preliminary round begins on Friday, Jan. 29, followed by semifinals on Saturday and the finals on Sunday. The Wolverines must advance through each round to stay in the competition.

Members of the 2026-27 WHHS cheer team are seniors Bailey Caudle, Kaylee Lancaster, Lily Peake, Lydia Newton and Marli Gathof, juniors Bella Franklin, Kylie Hudson and Sophie Newton, sophomore Chloe Gehm, and freshmen Charlee White, Harper Triplett and Kamryn Goldey.

“Qualifying for the UCA High School National Cheerleading Competition is an incredible accomplishment, and I couldn’t be prouder of this team,” said Christy Britton Franklin, head coach. “It’s a true honor to be back at Western Hills High School coaching the same program that helped shape me, ...