The Pike Liberal Arts Cheerleaders wrapped up a successful 2016 AISA Cheer camp on Thursday when both the varsity and junior varsity squads walked away with a total of nine first place finishes during competition.

“We are thrilled and proud of the girls,” said varsity head coach Angie Grice. “They have worked very hard all year round. They are very committed and dedicated and that hard work paid off.”

The veteran varsity squad had a very strong showing at camp throughout the week. Varsity took home nine different awards, including Medium Varsity Camp Champions. The squad also won Gameday Champions, Extreme Routine Champions, third place in home pom, first place cheer, third place sideline and the spirit stick award.

Pike also won the Leadership Award, which was voted on by all the schools at the end of the camp, and the Top Banana Award, which is given by the camp staff.

Not to be outdone, the junior varsity squad also had a very productive week. They finished the camp as Camp Champions, Gameday Champions, Extreme Routine Champions, first place in home pom, first place in cheer and second place in sideline. They also won the spirit stick award.

“It was beyond my expectations,” said junior varsity head coach Natalie Lankford. “I knew we were going to have our work cut out for us. To walk away with what we walked away with was so much more than I had ever dreamed possible. I am super proud of this group because they truly believed in themselves and one another.”

Along with their group awards, 11 Patriots won individual awards.

Varsity members Anna Laura Cobb, Lexie Motes and Mia Smith were named UCA All-Americans and AISA All-stars.

“We were really excited for the girls,” Grice said. “It’s a huge honor. There are a lot of seniors that participate and tryout (for All-Starts). We were just fortunate that all three of ours were picked.

From the junior varsity roster Ansley Adams, Porter Lankford, Isabella Saunders, Raegan Brown, Addi Garrot and Alyssa Terry were named UCA All-Americans.

Anna May, Jordan Grice and Mia Smith from the varsity squad and Garrot from junior varsity were awarded the Pin it Forward Award given to them by an instructor. The Pin it Forward Award was given to those who promote leadership and goes above and beyond to make girls feel welcomed and included.

Members of the 2016 varsity squad are: Anna Laura Cobb, Lexie Motes, Mia Smith, Parish Adams, Gracie Blair, Jordan Grice, Eden Hipps, Caroline Kirk, Anna May, Hailey Sasser, Emma Strickland and Emmy Stevens.

The junior varsity roster includes Ansley Adams, Porter Lankford, Isabella Saunders, Addi Garrott, Alyssa Terry, Dee Allen, Raegan Brown, Anna Claire Dorrill, Ella Cate Gunter, Mary Michael Hussey, Jaylee Price and Abbi Kay Terry

Both the varsity and junior varsity squads will shift their attention to start of the school year.

“We are getting focused on pep rallies and football games,” Grice said. “Our big glow in the dark pep rally at homecoming is a big event at our school. All the families come out to participate and it takes a lot of work to put it on. We will begin working on that right when we get back to school.”