Cheerleaders from Lehighton and Pleasant Valley area high schools competed in the 2016-2017 PIAA District XI Competitive Spirit Championships on Saturday at Easton Area Middle School in Easton.

Nineteen schools competed in four divisions based on the size of the squad and one co-ed division. Lehighton competed against in the small division against Parkland, Bethlehem Catholic, Whitehall, Southern Lehigh, Wilson and Emmaus high schools.Pleasant Valley went up against four schools in the medium division: Nazareth, Easton, Northampton Freedom in Bethlehem. The large division consisted of Stroudsburg and Pocono Mountain East. The co-ed division included: Allentown Central Catholic, Pen Argyl, East Stroudsburg North, East Stroudsburg South and Pocono Mountain West."We're very impressed and proud of the girls today," said Rebecca Schaeffer, the head coach of the Lehighton squad.This was more of a rebuilding year. The squad consisted of mostly sophomores, Schaeffer said, but some freshman, juniors and one senior."This was the best routine we've done all year," she said.The girls said they were nervous entering into competition. The single stunts where three girls lift one up to the top was hard to do, but they said each one of them worked out perfectly."We've worked really hard," said Kelli Carpenter, the assistant coach.Alexa Deluzio, the captain of the Pleasant Valley squad, said the pyramid was the most difficult for them. But they accomplished it, because "we all have to work together," she said. "Everybody has to put in their 100 percent.""I think they did very well," said Erin Hnat, the new head coach of the Pleasant Valley squad. "Their routine has a high level of difficulty. There are a lot of very flexible girls that can perform the stunts at the level they need to be."The judging covers two portions: cheer and music. In the cheer portion, the squad is judged on presentation of material, motions, skills, execution and overall effect. The music portion focuses on partner stunts, pyramids, tumbling, jumps and dance for a total of 100 possible points. The top two schools in each division will go to the state competition.Both Pleasant Valley and Lehighton have placed high or won their division in past years at the district championship, and went on to represent their schools at the state competition in Hershey.When the results were read, Wilson Area High School came in first with Southern Lehigh in second in the small division. Easton and Freedom came in first and second respectively in the medium division. Pocono Mountain East edged out Stroudsburg to win the large division. And Pocono Mountain West took first with East Stroudsburg South taking second in the co-ed division. First and second place squads will go to the state competition in Hershey on Jan. 20 and 21 at the Hershey Giant Arena.