The Kenai Central, Soldotna and Homer cheerleading squads traveled to the Rally in the Valley cheer competition Oct. 22 at Colony High School in Palmer.

The competition is for the football cheerleading squads to compete at the end of the season. This year’s competition drew nine varsity teams. The Alaska School Activities Association has no official state championship for football cheerleading.

“This is an event we look forward to every season,” Kenai Central head coach Brianna Force wrote in an email. “It is a wonderful opportunity to showcase our skills and get to watch other cheer teams from across the state do the same.

“This competition is a great way to wrap up our season and end on a high note.”

Homer coach Winter Marshall-Allen wrote it has been just short of a decade since the Mariners competed at Rally in the Valley.

The Kardinals competed in the 5-man stunt group, Varsity Game Time and Varsity Halftime competitions. The Stars had five athletes perform solos, and also did the Varsity Game Time and Varsity Halftime competitions. The Mariners had three athletes perform solos, and competed in 5-man stunt group, Varsity Game Time and Varsity Halftime.

In the solo competition, Wasilla’s Noah Huffman took first place, while Juneau’s Kristie Kulberth was second. In the top 10 from the peninsula were Homer’s Ally High in sixth, Soldotna’s Danica Farrar in ninth and Soldotna’s Rylen Reed in 10th.

Juneau won the 5-man stunt group. Kenai’s squad of Makenzie Harden, Sylvia McGraw, Maya Montague, Ella Romero and Kaitlyn Taylor got second. Homer’s squad of Lauren Harris, Tuong Tran, Carlie Johnson, Ally High and Marilyn Brewer-Cote got fifth.

In Varsity Game Time, Juneau took first place, while Bartlett was second, Kenai was third, Soldotna was fourth and Homer was sixth.

In Varsity Halftime, Juneau took first, Colony nabbed second, Kenai took seventh, Soldotna took eighth and Homer was ninth.

The Soldotna cheerleading team. (Photo provided)

The Homer cheerleading team. (Photo provided)