INDIANAPOLIS — Adjusted points of contact that reduce injury risk during inversions and release stunts and tosses are the most notable revisions in the 2021-22 high school spirit rules.

At its recent virtual meeting, the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Spirit Rules Committee produced rules changes that emphasized the committee’s continued focus on risk minimization. A total of seven proposals were recommended to the NFHS Board of Directors, which reviewed and later approved the changes to take effect next year.

“The NFHS Spirit Rules Committee continues its efforts to increase the health and safety of all cheer and dance participants,” said Dr. James Weaver, NFHS director of performing arts and sports and liaison to the NFHS Spirit Rules Committee. “This year’s rules changes allow for good safety practices and allow for education and practice in the sport of spirit.”

To reduce injury risk for the top person in a pyramid during a braced inversion that does not flip or roll, Rule 3-3-3 no longer mandates that the top person make hand-to-hand or hand-to-arm contact with a bracer. Removing this contact requirement keeps the top person out of a potentially dangerous position caused by attempting an unnatural connection with the bracer.

The same change was made in Rule 3-5-5c, which deals with contact between a top person and a bracer during a transition from a release stunt or toss. This modification also allows a top person to land in other positions besides a cradle position after a hand-to-foot release.

An alteration to Rule 4-1-21 now permits spirit participants to wear religious head coverings during performance without seeking state association approval beforehand. The rule states headwear must be made of non-abrasive and soft materials, fit securely and be attached in such a way that it is unlikely to come off while performing. The NFHS Spirit Rules Committee is the fourth NFHS sports rules committee to adopt or adjust a rule related to the wearing of religious head coverings so far in 2021.

An exception was added to Rule 3-2-1 (Rule 4-2-1 for dance) that allows a base and top person to share a pom during a dismount from a thigh stand, a shoulder sit or straddle, a shoulder stand or a prep. Previously, bases could not hold any objects or accessories while supporting a top person in these positions; only a hand-to-hand connection was acceptable.

Finally, language was removed from Rule 3-3-6 and Rule 4-2-8. Rule 3-3-6d was deleted as a response to a 2020 rule change that withdrew the requirement for upper body contact during a suspended stunt. Minute changes were made to Rule 4-2-8 to clarify that a spotter is required anytime the feet of the top person are in the hands of a base, or during the toss portion of a toss to shoulder stand.

A complete listing of the spirit rules changes will be available on the NFHS website at www.nfhs.org. Click on “Activities & Sports” at the top of the home page and select “Spirit.”

According to the most recent NFHS High School Athletics Participation Survey, competitive spirit ranks ninth in participants for girls with 161,358 in 7,214 schools.

COLORADO SPRINGS — The 2020-21 state spirit championships continued on Friday at the Broadmoor World Arena.

Competing on the first day are the Co-Ed positions for all classes as well as Class 2A, 3A, 4A and 5A Poms; Jazz and Hip-Hop.

Find complete results here.

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2A/3A, 4A, 5A Co-Ed

Familiar faces walked out of the World Arena with state championship trophies in hadn’t during the early session of the state spirit championships.

Coal Ridge claimed the 2A/3A Co-Ed Cheer championship for the third straight season. The Titans won the same category back in 2018 and also claimed the championship a year ago.

Bayfield finished as the runner-up in the category.

Thompson Valley also repeated as a state champion, claiming the 4A Co-Ed title. The Eagles finished with a score of 82.45, just over two points better than runner-up Falcon.

Castle View won the 5A title after after a sound performance that netted a score of 86.25.

Vista Ridge was the runner-up, jumping four spots from their finish last season.

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2A, 3A Poms

For the first time in nearly two decades, West Grand is leaving state spirit with championship in hand.

The Mustangs claimed the 2A Poms title, holding off Hotchkiss by just eight-hundredths of a point. The last time they claimed a championship at state spirit was in 2003 when they took the 2A Poms championship.

Sanford finished third in the event while Clear Creek finished fourth.

University kept their pattern of winning every other year intact as the Bulldogs claimed the 3A Poms title. They won the same event in 2016 and 2018. If the COVID-19 pandemic hadn’t pushed state back, this year’s title would’ve been the 2020 championship.

It’s the fifth overall title for the Bulldogs as they also claimed 3A Cheer in 2015 and 3A Poms in 2007.

SkyView Academy finished second, Aspen finished third and Grand Valley finished fourth.

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4A and 5A Poms

For the second time in the two-day event, Erie is taking home gold. The Tigers won the 4A Poms title to get their first championship is that specific discipline.

They have two 4A Cheer titles to their name and also won the 2A/3A Co-Ed Cheer championship back in 2007. They are the only team that has won more than one championship in 2021.

The score of 87.73 was more than a full point better than second-place Evergreen. Roosevelt finished third while Mullen took fourth.

Rock Canyon took the 5A title with a score of 91.15. It’s the first spirit title since 2016 for the Jaguars, who claimed the 5A Cheer championship. It’s the first Poms title for them since 2008 when they won it in 4A.

They fended off defending champion Cherry Creek who finished with 90.38 points. Grandview took third place and Ponderosa finished fourth.

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Jazz

Add another one for Mountain Vista. The Golden Eagles put on a championship worth performance and earned the hardware to prove it. They advanced to the Jazz finals after the top preliminary score and rode that momentum to a Jazz state championship, the first since 2018.

This is the 11th overall spirit championship for Mountain Vista and the fourth Jazz title. They previously won the discipline in 2010, 2015 and 2018.

The Golden Eagles finished with a score of 86.58. Cherokee Trail finished second while Valor Christian took thrid.

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Hip-Hop

Broomfield’s performance was the final performance of the two-day state spirit championships. And the Eagles certainly saved their best for last.

After taking third a year ago, Broomfield once again claimed the Hip-Hop state title, capturing their second crown in three years. Their performance netted them a score of 90.80, seven-tenths of a point better than second-place Fruita Monument.

This is the ninth overall spirit championship for Broomfield and its third state title in the last four years.

The Wildcats’ runner-up finish is their second in as many years. Fossil Ridge finished third while Horizon took fourth.

COLORADO SPRINGS — The 2020-21 state spirit championships kicked off on Thursday at World Arena.

Competing on the first day are the 2A/3A and 4A/5A Gameday divisions, as well as the 2A, 3A, 4A and 5A Cheer competitions.

Find complete results here.

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Gameday

Make it 2-for-2 for the Valor Christian Eagles. During the first day of the state spirit competition, the Eagles came away with gold, claiming the Class 5A/4A Gameday state championship.

It’s the second Gameday title for Valor and the second overall year of the categories inclusion in the state competition.

They won the title in the say fashion that they did in December of 2019 by beating out Smoky Hill. The Eagles finished with a score of 96.95 while the Buffaloes scored 93.8.

Greeley West took third while Rangeview took fourth.

Swink won the 3A/2A Gameday title after following up a solid prelim performance with a championship performance in the finals. The Lions finished fourth last year marking this win as their first Gameday state championship in school history.

Bishop Machebeuf placed second with Resurrection Christian taking third.

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2A and 3A Cheer

The Highland Huskies cheer team received a phone call from coach Michaela Runnells.

“Come meet me up near the front door,” she said.

They had no idea that she was carrying the payoff from their hard work. When the girls finally got within eyesight of Runnells, they couldn’t help but notice she was carrying something that was glistening with gold. It was a state championship trophy. The girls went crazy as they claimed the 3A crown.

After finishing second in 2A last year, they’ll enjoy a ride home with a trophy and a banner, celebrating their top performance at the Broadmoor World Arena.

Prospect Ridge Academy, last year’s state champion, finished second while Woodland Park finished third and Gunnison finished fourth.

In 2A, Front Range Christian repeated as the 2A cheer after holding off Limon. The Falcons scored 74.7 points to the Badgers’ 63.4.

Cheyenne Wells finished third and Wiley took fourth.

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4A and 5A Cheer

For the third straight year, Erie is walking out of the state spirit meet as the 4A Cheer champion. The Tigers put together a performance that gave them a score of 91.5, just under seven points better than Lewis-Palmer.

Last year, the scored 91.217 to capture the cheer title at the Denver Coliseum. This year, they’ll be able able to savor the win a little more as they drive north from Colorado Springs.

Niwot finished third while Standley Lake finished fourth.

After finishing seventh a year ago, Douglas County claimed the 5A cheer crown. They held off Chaparral by just a quarter of a point.

Rock Canyon took third with a score of 89.8 and Legend came in fourth.

Results from the 2020-21 state spirit championships, held at World Arena in Colorado Springs.

More info

• Watch live: NFHS Network
• Schedule

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Results

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Fossil Ridge played host as spirit teams gathered in Fort Collins for the Front Range League cheer championships.

Below is the schedule for the 2020-21 state spirit championships.

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Thursday

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Friday

AURORA – CHSAA’s 100th state basketball championships and the 30th annual state spirit championships will be held at The Broadmoor World Arena in Colorado Springs as the Association wraps up its Season B events, CHSAA Commissioner Rhonda Blanford-Green announced Thursday.

Coupled with a partnership with the Colorado Springs Sports Corp, these events mark a return to Colorado Springs and the World Arena where CHSAA has previously held other state events.

“We are excited that we can offer our student participants the state championship experience those that preceded them have had. Thank you to the Colorado Springs Sports Corporation for providing the necessary support that will make this possible. We know the experience at the Broadmoor World Arena will be a special one as it is one of the state’s premier athletic facilities,” Commissioner Blanford-Green said. “In the time of a pandemic, to have a civic-minded group step up to sponsor these events is pretty special.”

“The Colorado Springs Sports Corporation is excited to develop a strong partnership with the Colorado High School Activities Association leadership. The Sports Corp has supported the CHSAA State High School Cross Country event since 2019,” said Tom Osborne, CEO of the Colorado Springs Sports Corporation. “We are honored to collaborate once again with CHSAA on the prestigious All-Class State Basketball Championships and the CHSAA Spirit Championships. The potential for future CHSAA events in Colorado Springs is very exciting.”

“We are beyond ecstatic to have the CHSAA basketball and spirit championships at the Broadmoor World Arena. We look forward to improving our relationship with CHSAA. And that starts this year with the state basketball and spirit championships,” said Dot Lischick, General Manager of the Broadmoor World Arena.

The basketball championships will be held March 19-20 with all five classes of boys’ and girls’ state championship games taking place over two days. On Friday, the 2A boys and girls, 4A boys and girls and 5A girls’ championships will take place, while on Saturday the 1A boys and girls, 3A boys and girls and 5A boys’ title games will complete the season.

“Our goals this season were to get the players back on the court for a modified regular season. Basketball, more so than most sports, touches both genders and all communities across the state. This facility gives us the opportunity to showcase basketball. Thanks to the Colorado Springs Sports Corporation and World Arena for helping our efforts as we resume playing basketball,” Assistant Commissioner Bert Borgmann, CHSAA’s basketball liaison, said.

The spirit championships are slated for March 25-27 for its three-day event. The events include game day, hip-hop, jazz dance, along with the conventional poms, game day cheer, all-girl cheer and co-ed cheer events.

“What a great opportunity for our spirit participants. The way the Sports Corp and World Arena have stepped up to provide a high-quality venue speaks volumes about their commitment to Colorado’s young people. It is greatly appreciated,” said Assistant Commissioner Jenn Roberts-Uhlig, liaison for CHSAA’s spirit championships.

Both events will launch Championship Central on CHSAANow.com February 10 with event information.

Monday brings the start of practice for Season B sports across the state.

Those kicking off their seasons include traditional winter sports boys and girls basketball, ice hockey, skiing, girls swimming and diving, boys and girls wrestling, as well as traditional fall sport competitive spirit.

This marks the first-ever sanctioned season for girls wrestling. And ice hockey will feature two classifications for the first time.

Each sport can begin competition a week from Monday, on Jan. 25.

Due to the on-going COVID pandemic, each sport has modifications that have been put into place surrounding the structure of the season. Complete COVID information can be found on this page.

Further sport-specific information can be found in their bulletins.

Championship season in Season B will start with skiing, the week of March 8. It will conclude with the state spirit championships March 25-27.

A complete list of dates is available on our calendar.

During a meeting on Wednesday night, the CHSAA Board of Directors voted to approve variances from the Governor’s COVID Response Team which will provide member schools with the local option to play field hockey, football and sideline spirit during the fall (Season A) season.

Schools will continue to have the option to play these sports in Season C, as previously upheld by the Board, if they elect not to play during Season A. The seasons will be treated equitably. Schools may not play in both seasons. This will allow local schools and districts to make the determination.

“I want to thank my colleagues on the Board,” Troy Baker, the president of the Board of Directors, and the athletic director at Buena Vista High School. “The CHSAA Board is charged to make the best decision for all kids in our state. We are a diverse state and many of our schools are faced with unique challenges that can elevate the complexity in making a decision that supports all schools and students.

“We are in a pandemic,” Baker said. “It’s not normal times. We’re all trying to find a way to navigate through it, with the hope of trying to find some normalcy in our lives. There isn’t a guide of how to do this.”

The Board met on Wednesday night to discuss the playing variances approved by the COVID-19 Response Team from the office of Gov. Jared Polis. The vote was 12-3 in favor of moving forward with those seasons.

According to the Governor’s public announcement, the CHSAA Board of Directors has empowered its member schools and school districts to determine if their teams are able to proceed with a fall (Season A) schedule in field hockey, football and sideline spirit safely under the guidelines set by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

“I would like to thank the CHSAA Board of Directors and the CHSAA staff for their commitment to reconsidering the options once the variances were provided to the CHSAA office. I would also like to thank our membership, who has been in this whirlwind as we sought a resolution,” said CHSAA Commissioner Rhonda Blanford-Green. “We look forward to continuing to work collaboratively with the Governor’s office to obtain variances for wrestling, swimming and other sports in Seasons B, C and D.”

A major factor in the Board’s decision was the approval of the variances, and the COVID Response Team’s approval that these sports could move forward in a safe manner, with all the recommended guidelines.

Specifically, these variances allow for 50 players, per sideline, to be on the field during a football game. In field hockey, the variance allows for 25 players per sideline, per game. Previously, these guidelines were 25 players, total.

Spirit roster size is based upon CHSAA classification maximums.

There are other restrictions that must be followed, per the variance:

• All participants, including athletes, coaches, match officials, staff, and others, must wear masks while not actively playing, even outdoors. They must also be six feet apart from non-household members on the sidelines, or while not in active play. They may not go into the spectator area.
• Spirit participants must perform off the field of play, and must be at least 25 feet away from participants and spectators at all times.

These sports have been conditionally approved. If a community falls out of compliance and enters Level 3 in the Safer at Home Public Health Order 20-35, the Colorado Department of Health has said the approval will be re-evaluated and may be rescinded.

Requested variances for the remaining fall sports — gymnastics, boys soccer, spirit, girls volleyball, and unified bowling — remain under consideration by the COVID Response Team.

Specifics about each season will be communicated to CHSAA member schools in a timely manner. The CHSAA staff will be working closely with our administrators and school districts to assist with implementing Season A changes in an expedited manner.

INDIANAPOLIS — To help elevate high school marching band field show performances and ease the financial burdens facing performing arts programs in the wake of COVID-19, the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) has collaborated with several organizations to produce “Together As One – One Nation,” a comprehensive field show performance package that can be used free of charge by schools across the country.

“Together As One” is powered by Varsity Performing Arts, a division of Varsity Spirit, in partnership with the NFHS and in coordination with United Sound – a nonprofit organization that provides musical performance experiences for students with special needs. The aptly named program includes a six-minute, fully arranged, designed and choreographed marching band performance that equips bands, cheer and dance teams with all the necessary elements to execute in unison.

“The NFHS is proud to partner with Varsity Performing Arts in the ‘Together As One’ marching band project,” said Dr. James Weaver, NFHS director of performing arts and sports. “Over the past several months, it has been a pleasure to work with an incredible group of nationally-renowned composers, arrangers and choreographers to provide this amazing marching band show.”

“As our country recovers, young people will need school spirit now more than ever before,” said Bill Seely, President of Varsity Spirit. “’Together As One’ is designed to help bring school spirit back into America’s schools in a powerful way, with the collaboration of the cheerleaders, dance team, band programs, and any group in the school that wants to be included. Our hope is that this will help ignite a strong sense of school spirit and community in the fall when our schools need it most.”

In addition to Weaver and executives from other national music organizations, “Together As One” utilizes contributions from a world-renowned cohort that includes design coordinator David Starnes and composer/music coordinator Robert W. Smith, along with 21 other individuals who are among the very best arrangers and choreographers in the field.

Spring is the most active time of the year for high school marching band fundraisers, meaning the vast majority of programs lost most – if not all – of their opportunities due to the pandemic. With field show arrangement costs often totaling multiple thousands of dollars, “Together As One” will not only serve to unite marching bands, cheer and dance teams around the country, but will provide schools with a much-needed cost-effective option for the upcoming season.

“We’re excited for this program to be provided to all schools for free with the hope of creating a sense of unity throughout the United States and all of our music programs,” Weaver said. “As we return to the classrooms, fields, rehearsal rooms and performance halls, we hope we all return ‘Together As One.’”

More information on the “Together As One” project can be found on Varsity Spirit’s website.

Band directors and performing arts leaders who would like to register for access to “Together As One” digital materials including sheet music and online video choreography can do so on Varsity’s website.