The Douglas High School cheerleaders are headed to a state qualifying competition this weekend in Phoenix.

Bruce Whetten/Douglas Dispatch Douglas High School’s cheerleaders are headed to a state qualifying competition in Phoenix this weekend. Members of this years squad are, back row left to right, Yoseline Anguiano, Lili Vasquez, Yesenia Higuera, Gaby Orozco, Estrella Montoya, Melissa Diaz, Katherine Decker and Hayley Trevizo. Front row left to right are Crystal Solis, Annely Bernal, Laura Sabori, Jordan Acosta, Jeanette Palmer, Shaynna Bernal, Bianca Valenzuela and Kayla Brown. Not pictured are Stephanie Lopez, Deliz Nunez, Deena Cota and coach Andrea Arnejo.

DHS cheer coach Andrea Arnejo said an estimated 30 schools from the 4A Division II region will be at Barry Goldwater High School Saturday competing in the three-stage day long event which begins at 8 a.m. and ends around 3:30 p.m.

“We’ve been going to state since 2001 but this is only the second year they’ve had state qualifiers,” she said. “In the past we used to go directly to state now they’re having schools go to state qualifiers first.”

The top five teams from the state qualifiers will come back at a later date and compete for the state title, the coach said. It’s kind of like a playoff.

“We competed last year in the performance cheer category and they decided to dissolve that category this year,” she said. “Now they want everybody to compete in three categories: all girls’ stunts, pom and show cheer.”

Whichever team has the highest cumulative score in all three categories will win the state title, Arnejo said.

The coach said she’s not sure why the change was made all she knows is that her squad is now working harder than it has been trying to perfect its routine in all three areas.

“I feel pretty good about our chances,” Arnejo said. “It’s all about confidence.”

Arnejo and her squad was very instrumental in helping the local Youth Football League cheerleaders win the Cochise County competition several weeks ago volunteering numerous hours each week to not only help the younger cheerleaders but also work on their own routines as well in addition to school.

“That’s my feeder program,” the coach said. “If I can help them and prepare them for my program then I’ll get better quality athletes. … I train them young so when they come up hopefully I get a well groomed squad.”

The coach said the routines her squad will do this weekend are set now it’s just a matter of fine tuning things.

Still, the DHS squad has had to deal with its fair share of distractions. There is a cold bug circulating amongst the squad and now the coach has the cold. Two members of the squad were recently involved in an auto accident forcing Arnejo to alter the routine just a little in order to accommodate the injured cheerleader. Plus the squad has had a problem finding a regular place to practice since the cooler temperatures prevent them from going out doors right now.

“We just need to keep fine tuning and trying to fill these girls full of confidence so they can go out there and do their best,” she said. “I feel really confident this squad will place in the top five.”

Arnejo said there is another cheer competition her squad will go to Dec. 6 in Mesa put on by the United States Spirit Association.

The coach said teams that score 80 or better in this event qualify for nationals. This event is divided up by the squads’ ability level.

Fund raiser Nov. 23

The DHS cheerleader booster club will be having a spaghetti dinner fund raiser Nov. 23 from 2-6 p.m. at the Douglas Noon Lions Club. Cost is $7 per plate and includes the spaghetti, garlic bread and a salad. On orders of four or more the cost drops down to $6 per plate.

Tickets are available from the DHS cheerleaders. Tickets will also be available at the door.

Event organizers say this is a pick up or delivery event. There will be no sit down table available.

Those getting food delivered will need to provide their address when purchasing tickets.