Southeast stuntin’: Region V dance and cheer teams gather for annual dance adjudication

The Juneau Empire’s expanded coverage of the Region V tournament is made possible by Sealaska Corp. Thanks to this sponsorship, this article —and all 2023 Region V coverage — is available online without a subscription to the Empire.

The gymnasium at Juneau-Douglas High School:Yadaa.at Kalé was full of cheer Saturday afternoon — and not just from the athletes themselves.

Hundreds of fans filled the bleachers to cheer on the Southeast Alaska cheerleading and dance teams that gathered to compete in the annual dance adjudication running in tandem with the Region V 2A/4A Basketball Tournament hosted at Thunder Mountain High School.

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The 11 performances during the competition ranged from Thunder Mountain dance team’s elaborative spy-themed performance to Haines High School cheer’s crowd-pleasing chants to the Ketchikan High School dance teams’ creative camping-themed performance.

Petersburg High School cheer team was named the champions of the 2A division of the competition, followed by the Wrangell High School cheer squad.

Petersburg’s head coach Andrea Weathers said the win was unexpected, and the competition was a great experience.

“It was surprising, we always put in 110% but you never really know,” she said. “We weren’t focused on winning, but just putting our best foot forward.”

JDHS cheer took home the championship title in the 4A division of the competition for the third year in a row — the first time in the team’s history.

Head coach Carlene Nore said she was beyond proud of her team.

“It means a lot,” she said. “Our cheer team works so hard, and we really do ask a lot of our athletes, not only as students but as athletes — it’s really exciting.”

Nore said beyond just the adjudication, she thinks the region’s tournament has been an exciting opportunity for Southeast Alaska to come together and enjoy the competition and support one another.

It’s been such a wonderful tournament so far,” she said. “We appreciate Thunder Mountain for hosting and all the teams who came to town. For my cheer team, they really love being able to support other teams and cheerleaders.”

• Contact reporter Clarise Larson at clarise.larson@juneauempire.com or (651)-528-1807. Follow her on Twitter at @clariselarson.

See photos from the event below.

Ketchikan High School dance team members snap their fingers to the beat during the annual Region V 2A/4A dance adjudication competition hosted at Juneau-Douglas High School:Yadaa.at Kalé. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

A Ketchikan High School dance team member rides imaginary waves during the annual Region V 2A/4A dance adjudication competition hosted at Juneau-Douglas High School:Yadaa.at Kalé Saturday afternoon. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

JDHS cheerleaders balance in the air with ease during the annual Region V 2A/4A dance adjudication competition hosted at Juneau-Douglas High School:Yadaa.at Kalé Saturday afternoon. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

The TMHS dance team shows it’s spy skills during the annual Region V 2A/4A dance adjudication competition hosted at Juneau-Douglas High School:Yadaa.at Kalé Saturday afternoon. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

TMHS cheerleaders smile as they balance in the air during the annual Region V 2A/4A dance adjudication competition hosted at Juneau-Douglas High School:Yadaa.at Kalé Saturday afternoon. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

The small but mighty Craig High School cheer team brings the energy during the annual Region V 2A/4A dance adjudication competition hosted at Juneau-Douglas High School:Yadaa.at Kalé Saturday afternoon. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

JDHS dance team member’s give it their all during their Hollywood themed performance during the annual Region V 2A/4A dance adjudication competition hosted at Juneau-Douglas High School:Yadaa.at Kalé Saturday afternoon. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

JDHS dance team member’s manage elaborate wardrobe changes with ease during their Hollywood themed performance during the annual Region V 2A/4A dance adjudication competition hosted at Juneau-Douglas High School:Yadaa.at Kalé Saturday afternoon. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

A Wrangell High School cheerleader shouts to the crowd during the annual Region V 2A/4A dance adjudication competition hosted at Juneau-Douglas High School:Yadaa.at Kalé Saturday afternoon. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

JDHS cheer poses for a picture after taking home the 4A division championship title during the annual Region V 2A/4A dance adjudication competition hosted at Juneau-Douglas High School:Yadaa.at Kalé Saturday afternoon. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)