ROCKINGHAM — The latest state championship hardware in Richmond Senior High School’s illustrious athletic history was on display Tuesday.
During halftime of the varsity boys’ basketball game, the Richmond Raider cheerleading squad was recognized for its accomplishment achieved in December.
Introduced by athletic director James Johnson, the Raider cheerleaders walked to half court and held up their championship trophy and banner in front of a packed gymnasium.
Members of the team who cheered in the state championship-winning performance on Dec. 7 were seniors Kylie Hood, Riley Howell, James Lewis, Trinity Lockhart, Bailey Rheault, juniors Makayla Brown, Madalyn Burnett, Laney Dawkins, Emma Williams and sophomore Anna Stogner.
The team was coached to the win by Meredith Hood, who has since left the program, but who was present during Tuesday’s recognition.
At the Raleigh Convention Center in early December, the Raiders won the NCHSAA state title in the Division One Co-Ed Non-Tumbling bracket.
Out of seven teams competing in their division, the Raiders secured a score of 79.2 and brought home its second state championship banner in two seasons. Richmond defeated second-place Pinecrest High School (71.3) and third-place Cape Fear High School (70.9).
Richmond’s other recent state championship title was the North Carolina Cheerleading Coaches Association crown in Jan. 2024 in the same division.
