Gimme a 'C' - for cheering competition

Carson High School's blue-and-white colors aren't the only thing of which the 19 girls on the school's varsity cheer team will be proud Saturday at the first-ever state cheering championship at the school - the girls are also offering a little bravado.

"A lot of schools know us as a real good cheerleading team, but they don't consider us the best," said 16-year-old Kate Sarkissian, team co-captain. "But we are the best."

Co-captain Lindsey Bleuss, 17, agreed.

"We know we're going to walk away with a trophy," she said.

It's not like the 4A team hasn't practiced.

Since January, they've met almost daily for two- to three-hour sessions to learn the two-and-a-half minute routine for Saturday's competition. The routine starts out with Jefferson Starship's "We Built This City" then breaks for a CHS cheer before concluding with Glenn Frey's "The Heat is On."

"We wanted to do '80s music because that's when the judges grew up," said Lindsey. "We wanted to have a little bit from their past."

"I think we have it down," Kate said. "We know it by heart."

For the past two years, members of the State Spirit Coaches Association, formed five years ago, have hoped for an all-state competition.

"It's taken that long to put together, and now we're ready," said Terrie McNutt, tournament director and State Spirit Director for the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association. "We have 800 students registered and approximately 50 schools in Nevada participating, (1A) through 4A."

Teams are coming in by plane or bus from as far away as Pahrump. Local teams include Galena, Douglas, Damonte Ranch, Reed, Spanish Springs, Wooster, South Tahoe, Bishop Manogue and Virginia City high schools.

Carson High is participating in the show cheer and a four-girl stunt categories. Teams can sign up in four categories - show, performance, co-ed and all-girl stunt - or three categories of dance - hip-hop, jazz and pom. Trophies will be awarded to first- place winners and the runner-ups.

People who will judge the teams in areas like choreography, presentation, technical ability and formation changes are being flown in from Texas, Arizona, California, Colorado and Utah.

"My goal is to have this be the first annual," McNutt said. "And we're claiming it as the inaugural year, and we're giving away a lot of awards."

Each participant will receive a miniature gold megaphone engraved with "2006." Friday night will start with a dinner at Carson High School, provided to teams by Carson High's culinary department.

"I'm so excited because this (event) is the first one, and we're the first team (from Carson High) to ever get to do it," said Lindsey. "And we have a lot to offer."

Although Carson High's Senator team has never competed, Lindsey has a plan in mind.

"The way to think about it is that you're performing in front of your school, but in front of people more important than just your peers," she said.

-- Contact reporter Maggie O'Neill at moneill@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1219.

If you go

WHAT: Silver State Spirit 2006

Championships

WHEN: 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Saturday

WHERE: Carson High School, 1111 N.

Saliman Road

CALL: Terrie McNutt at 882-4181