The 2026 UIL Spirit State Championships was held Jan. 15-17 in Fort Worth. The Klein High Cheer competition team competed Jan. 17 at 9:58 a.m. Overall, the team placed 31 in 6A-DII. Although the team did not advance to the finals, the team said they learned a lot and grew closer together.

     “I think we were all a little surprised, I think we felt like we did better,” sophomore Mia Dickson said. “I think it just gave us more motivation for next year.”

     The competition team is separate from the other varsity, junior varsity, or freshman teams. Cheerleaders who were interested in competing had the opportunity to try out for the team in September.

     “We got our choreography in late September and have been preparing ever since,” competition team head coach Brittany Morton said. “The hardest part is making sure all components of the score sheet are accounted for in our routine such as sharpness, motion placement, strong stunts, flag and sign timing and overall energy level.”

     Morton said her favorite part of competition was working with the cheerleaders on the team.

     “They learned how to work together and perform as a team,” Morton said. “They were a team on and off the mat, so it made the practice, bus rides, show offs and competition a fun atmosphere.  In the end, they all had a common goal and they worked together to reach that goal.