The Kenai Central High School Kardinal cheer team was recognized by the Kenai City Council on Wednesday for winning the Division II Alaska cheer championship in March.

At that competition, held at the University of Alaska’s Alaska Airline Center in Anchorage, the KCHS team clinched the top title for the third year in a row. The team was also recognized by the Alaska School Activities Association for having a team cumulative grade point average of 3.97.

Members of the team were presented during Wednesday’s city council meeting with a mayoral proclamation by Kenai Mayor Brian Gabriel.

“The Mayor and City Council commend the Kenai Kardinal Cheer Squad for having an outstanding season and representing their school at the State Championship,” that proclamation says.

Kenai City Council members also took time to congratulate the cheer squad on Wednesday.

“I got to follow the athletes here all season long and you guys did great work,” said Kenai Vice Mayor James Baisden, whose daughter is on the cheer team. “I appreciate your hard work. I don’t think what a lot of people understand is that you know, a typical athlete is playing basketball or playing other sports — the cheer team has to show up for all the different activities and they’re there the entire time.”

KCHS Senior Silas Thibodeau, who is the school’s student representative to the council, also congratulated the team on their “extremely good job.”

Wednesday’s meeting of the Kenai City Council can be streamed on the city’s YouTube channel.

Reach reporter Ashlyn O’Hara at ashlyn.ohara@peninsulaclarion.com.