Edmond Memorial High School's cheer team captured the OSSAA Class 6A state championship on Sept. 26, the cheer program’s first state title in 28 years.
The all-girl squad competed at the Sawyer Center on the Southern Nazarene University campus in Bethany, according to The Oklahoman. Head coach Lauren Jardot told the school's student newspaper, Ruff Draft, that the win felt like a breakthrough for the program.
"We honestly felt like a curse was broken," Jardot said.
Jardot said it had been 30 years since an all-girl squad won a state championship and 28 years since the school's last title. Memorial’s previous championship was coed in 1998, while its previous non-coed title was Class 5A in 1996. Thus, 2026 ended a 28-year overall championship drought and a 30-year all-girl drought.
The preparation stretched months. Jardot said the team began working toward the state competition in June, practicing twice a week during the summer for two to three hours per session. Once school started, the squad moved to three to four practices a week through the day before the championship.
Freshman Emerson Kruckeberg told Ruff Draft the title brought the team closer. She said going through the same process to win changed the squad's year by bringing everyone closer than before.
Cheer captain Alayna Yocam credited consistency. She told Ruff Draft that without steady technique and effort throughout the season, a team cannot feel confident in its abilities. Yocam added that passion matters just as much, saying even one uncommitted member makes it harder for the group to maintain the right mindset.
The championship was held alongside other OSSAA competitive cheer divisions. Crossings Christian won the Class 3A title and Owasso took the large coed championship at the same event, according to The Oklahoman's photo coverage.
"This has been a long time coming, and we are ready to create a new legacy with Edmond Memorial Cheer," Jardot said.
