JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – Five local teams will be among 120 squads competing in the PIAA competitive spirit championships Friday and Saturday inside 1st Summit Arena @ Cambria County War Memorial in downtown Johnstown.
Richland High School is the defending Class 2A small varsity champion, edging out Forest Hills High School. United High School finished third in the same classification. Bishop McCort Catholic has won six competitive spirit state titles, and Greater Johnstown earned its second PIAA crown in 2024.
The five area squads have become mainstays in the competition. This is the first of three years the city arena will host both the competitive spirit championships and, in February, the boys team wrestling championships. Getting to compete close to home gives each team an elevated level of excitement.
"I would have to say the excitement level is off the chart," Greater Johnstown coach Teri Maser said. "We are beyond thrilled that this year‘s PIAA championship is in our backyard. This is a highly competitive cheerleading region, which also means there are a lot of cheer fans right here in the Johnstown area, so the fact that they will be able to have a much easier opportunity to come and support the local teams is absolutely fantastic."
The 2025 championships were held in Reading after Giant Center in Hershey hosted them between 2014-24.
Area coaches believe fans will be impressed by the athletes' overall athleticism and skills.
"We are personally extremely excited for the PIAA to be within our area," Forest Hills coach Christina Christ said. "To have this caliber of competition with the amount of talent and athleticism that is coming right here to Johnstown from around the state really can show everyone in our hometowns is awesome.
"Competitive cheerleading is a year-round sport that our athletes have to work and focus a lot of their time on. Between tumbling, stunting and cheering throughout its intense two minutes and 30 seconds for everyone to watch, the routines will keep you right on the edge of your seat.
"Our friends and family are able to see many national-winning routines and see our local athletes perform at their best at a high-stake competition. To have that crowd participation in the arena to cheer on your routine gives us more adrenaline and can enhance our scoring with crowd appeal."
Teams will compete in Class 2A small and large varsity, Class 3A small and large varsity and coed varsity.
Richland will be looking to stay atop the podium.
"As defending champions, we knew expectations would be high," Richland coach Jenna Ricci said. "Our athletes embraced that challenge and prepared all season with discipline, focus and attention to detail. Our coaching staff dedicates a lot of time to building mental strength and toughness. Positive self-talk and intrinsic motivation are what drive our athletes."
Bishop McCort is eager to show its improvements this year after finishing tied for fourth place in 2A small varsity in 2025. The Crimson Crushers won state titles in 2014, 2015, 2018, 2020, 2021 and 2023.
"The team is on track for a great weekend," Bishop McCort coach John Walker said. "Every day, they gain more confidence and strength. This week, we are working on the confidence in their skills to be able to deliver the performance level necessary to reach their goals."
United is the first team to compete at 9 a.m. Friday among Class 2A small varsity's Group A along with Bishop McCort (9:20 a.m.) and Forest Hills (9:32 a.m.). Richland is in Group B and will perform at 11:12 a.m.
The Lions have been working diligently on their routine.
"Everyone’s commitment is crucial in order to prep for the championship, and I feel my girls have done that," United coach Jennifer Charney said. "With three schools co-oping (Blacklick Valley and Penns Manor), it can be challenging, but they are all amazing athletes that work well together. We have incorporated a lot of team-building exercises this year that has allowed our team to bond on and off the mat, including multiple camps and conditioning while working around other sports."
Greater Johnstown, which also won a state title in 2014, was a finalist in Class 3A small varsity during the 2025 championships. The Trojans' routine is at 1:20 p.m. Friday in Group A. Greater Johnstown formed a cheer co-op with Westmont Hilltop this season.
"We began a competitive spirit co-op with Westmont Hilltop High School this year, so we had to wait until all of that was finalized until we could have the full team working together," Maser said of this past summer.
Forest Hills heads into the competition after winning its first District 6 crown Dec. 13 in Altoona.
"At the District 6 championship, our team was able to execute their stunts, pyramid and tumbling at a higher level of difficulty with no falls or drops," Christ said. "They really came in with the right mindset and a focus on bringing back the district championship for the first time ever to Forest Hills."
Expect to see many friends and family supporting the five local teams.
"This is a wonderful opportunity for the local teams to be able to go for gold in front of their hometown," Walker said. "We are hoping to pack the arena with Crusher fans. Bishop McCort has a longstanding tradition of excellence in the cheerleading world, and it will be amazing to bring our world home and share this with our friends and families."