<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3wu7pb_1GzMzjVj00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3wu7pb_1GzMzjVj00" width="1920" height="1727" ><figcaption>On Nov. 9, Calera High School varsity cheerleaders were crowned the state champions of the 2026 AHSAA 5A small varsity gameday division. (Contributed/Calera High School)</figcaption></figure>CALERA— On Nov. 9, Calera High School varsity cheerleaders were crowned the state champions of the 2026 AHSAA 5A small varsity gameday division. The team celebrated bringing the title back to their hometown by wearing brand new gold medals around their necks. In light of the championship, Calera High School Principal Jennifer McCaleb took to the school’s official social media page to highlight the team’s win.“As principal, I have experienced many proud moments, but this one is truly special,” McCaleb said. “To say that I am proud of these young ladies is an understatement. My heart is overflowing with pride, admiration and gratitude for this incredible group of athletes and their coaches.”The Alabama High School Athletic Association has hosted the state championship competitions for more than 30 years. This year being held at the Birmingham CrossPlex in the Bill Harris Arena, the competition saw 156 individual performances from 110 unique middle, junior-high and high schools from across the state. The Calera High School Eagle cheerleaders competed in the small varsity gameday division against four other schools which included Springville High School, Pell City High School, Muscle Shoals High School and Saraland High School. The gameday division of the competition requires that a team competes with a routine that features a mixture of different elements.The first element is a bandchant, a dance and chant that cheerleaders perform that sets the tone of the spirit and energy for the rest of the routine. The second element is a situational sideline cue performance. The announcer calls either a defensive or offensive cue that the cheerleaders must recognize and perform a reactive cheer to. The finale of the performance is the school’s staple fight song. The cheerleaders will move into multiple different formations throughout the entire routine, and are allowed to use props such as pompoms, megaphones, signs and flags. This division of the competition is scored on a 100-point scale, to which the Calera High School Eagles scored the highest in the division.“While today we celebrate a state championship, I hope we never lose sight of the journey that brought us here,” McCaleb said later in her post. “The true measure of this team’s success goes far beyond a trophy or title. It is found in the lessons learned, the obstacles overcome, the relationships built and the determination to keep going when things were not easy.”The principal also expanded in her post that the team’s season leading up to the championship has been no easy feat. As each team must compete in preliminary competitions throughout the year to qualify for the state championship, McCaleb praises the Eagle cheerleaders for never giving up. She thanked the cheerleaders, the coaches and the community for their continued support as they made history for Calera High School.“Years from now, the medals will still be special, but what I hope these girls remember most is that they faced adversity, refused to let it defeat them and accomplished something extraordinary together.” McCaleb said.</div></body>

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CALERA— On Nov. 9, Calera High School varsity cheerleaders were crowned the state champions of the 2026 AHSAA 5A small varsity gameday division. The team celebrated bringing the title back to their hometown by wearing brand new gold medals around their necks. In light of the championship, Calera High...

Calera High School cheerleaders win state championship

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CALERA— On Nov. 9, Calera High School varsity cheerleaders were crowned the state champions of the 2026 AHSAA 5A small varsity gameday division. The team c

Calera High School cheerleaders win state championship

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