Stow, Revere lead winners at OGYFA cheer competition in Medina

Sun-splashed Kenneth Dukes Stadium turned from a football field into a showcase for cheerleading as several hundred athletes from more than a dozen communities gathered this past weekend. The event featured squads spanning third through sixth grade in a friendly competition that, for the most part, spurred smiles throughout the day.

The Ohio Gridiron Youth Football Association held its annual cheer competition Sunday at Medina High School, with hundreds of young athletes performing their routines. Despite blistering hot conditions, the cheerleaders were well-received by fans and competitors alike. The home stands were at least half full of vocal supporters, while teams sought shade under track-side canopies.

The day was especially big for Stow, whose teams were recognized as overall champions and for best spirit. Other winners included Revere in varsity (sixth grade), Copley in junior varsity (fifth grade), and Revere again in sophomore (fourth grade) and freshman (third grade). North Royalton was crowned champion in third-fourth grade open tumble, while Kenston took the title in fifth-sixth.

“Medina was thrilled to be hosting competition this year,” said Anna Brown, Medina’s Youth Gridiron Cheer coordinator. “It’s a lot of work, and as a volunteer-run program we knew we’d need a great team to help us pull it off and our team was amazing.”

The OGYFA cheer competition serves as both a contest and a fundraiser for the host city. Brown noted it’s also a chance to celebrate the cheerleaders of the Ohio Gridiron Association, who spend Saturdays supporting football teams across the region.

“It’s a day that as a community, we get to cheer them on and praise them for all the long hours of practices, tumbling lessons, choreography time and game days,” Brown said. “This year we had the whole city involved, including some of our middle school cheerleaders, who helped coach our squads, and our entire high school marching band drum ensemble, who kicked off the day for us. Donna Toth at the high school helped us coordinate all the facilities, and even Jim Shields, the director of HR for Medina City Schools, helped pass out the trophies and awards.”

The day was marked by good sportsmanship as teams cheered each other on from the field or sidelines. Fans in the stands were engaged and often joined in, depending on the music. Each routine lasted about a minute and typically blended sideline cheers with choreographed dance.

“Our cheerleaders are the heart and spirit of the whole league and we love being able to show them how important they are,” Brown said. “Seeing the community come together in a time where everything lately seems so divided is incredible.”

The OGYFA includes teams from Medina, Highland, Wadsworth, Parma, North Royalton, Akron Kenmore, Copley, Kenston, Hudson, Stow, Tallmadge, Revere, Nordonia, Twinsburg, Solon, Kent, Norwayne and Kenston. More than half those communities were represented at this year’s cheer competition.