Coming off recent cheerleading competition victories, Whitehall had some difficulties in its 13th place finish at the EPC Cheerleading Championships last Wednesday at Easton Area Middle School.

Last month, the Zephyrs took first place at the Nazareth competition and the Parkland competition.

Although the Zephyrs started off well at the EPC competition, their routine hit some difficulties.

“More than usual [did not hit],” said Whitehall cheerleader Jade Geist. “I think everyone was very nervous, but I think the cheer went really well.”

The cheer portion of the Zephyrs’ routine was near the middle.

“We have made changes. We made some things harder, added some things. The crowd loved us,” Geist said.

Whitehall performed sixth after a 5 to 10 minute warm-up.

“From my perspective, I think our first stunt was good,” said Zephyr cheerleader Francesca Couyoute. “We added dive rolls and a switch up [to the routine].”

Couyoute went on to explain the routine which began with stunts in a diagonal, followed by running tumbling, a cheer, a dance, dive rolls into a pyramid, stunts, and the end pyramid.

The Zephyrs will have an opportunity to clinch a berth in the PIAA State Cheerleading Competition with a high placement in the District XI Cheerleading Competition scheduled for Jan. 4 at Easton Area Middle School.

Easton won the competition followed by Nazareth which was second.