Bingham High School cheer top in state

For the third time in the last three years, the Bingham High cheer squad is the 5A state champion. This year, the Miners accomplished the feat Jan. 12 at Timpview High School in a Co-Ed division with four boys on the roster.

“Our team did really good,” said coach Amber Trapp, who is in her fourth year with the program. “I wasn’t sure how we were going to do with boys on our team, but we did surprisingly well, and the boys were amazing. It was a lot of fun.”

Bingham was also recognized as the overall High Point Co-Ed team at state. Trapp particularly noted the contributions of senior captain Chelsea Ward in leading the 28-member squad.

“Chelsea is the most amazingly talented girl I’ve ever coached,” Trapp said. “People line up to watch her. She’s just ridiculous.”

Bailee Inglis, Camille Sanders and Jessica Valle served as co-captains this year, while Matte Aubrey, Maeci Bangerter, Shelby Belnap, MaKenzie Campbell, Charli Cramer, Cydney Delli, Kamarie DeVoogd, Jake Earl, Meganne Ferrell, Curtis Finneman, Kylee Fullmer, Michael Guerrero, Courtney Holtby, Hayden Linnebach, Madison Martellaro, Karra Mason, Alyssa Mecham, Riley McGriff, Alysha Ririe, Sveta Scott, Rian Smith, Alexa Starkweather, Zach Wilkin and Ashley Vranes were also members of Bingham’s title team.

Trapp was assisted by coaches Sami Church and Janelle Petersen.

“The secret to this program is the support from everyone around the program – from the administration to the parents,” Trapp said.

At the state meet, senior Ririe also received Academic All-State recognition for her contributions to the cheer squad as well as excellence in the classroom. The senior, daughter of Jeff and Debbie Ririe of South Jordan, maintained a near-perfect GPA during her four years of high school while a member of the cheer squad.

“A couple of years ago, I set a goal to achieve this award after watching some of the older girls get it,” she said. “It’s really cool to be recognized for academics and for cheer.”

“Alysha is a great example to all the rest of the team, as she has been able to maintain a 3.97 throughout high school, and deal with a very demanding cheerleading schedule and rigorous classes,” Trapp said.

Ririe is also a member of the National Honor Society and plans to study nursing in college.

Bingham’s team competed in the USA Championship Feb. 9 at Riverton High School. The Miners squad heads to nationals in Anaheim, Calif. March 15-17 in hopes of regaining the top spot it won in 2010. The team placed second the past two years.

“I feel like we have a really good chance to take nationals,” Trapp said. “We are so unified.”