Pittsburgh, Pa. – The Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL) held its first championship of the 2021-2022 winter season last Saturday, as Hempfield Area High School was the host to the WPIAL Competitive Spirit Championships.
 
The league crowned overall champions in the 2A and 3A classifications, as well as winners in the categories of 2A large varsity, 2A small varsity, 3A large varsity, 3A small varsity, and co-ed.
 
In 3A, Hempfield Area claimed its second consecutive overall title with a final score of 89.5 – besting runner-up South Fayette by 0.1. The Spartans scored a 29.5 in cheer and 35.9 in stunts, before finishing it off with a 26.1 mark in overall. Two deductions, however, pulled the Lions within 0.1 of the hosts in the end.
 
Laurel claimed the 2A overall title with a final tally of 83.5, topping Hopewell by 11.9. The Spartans finished without a single deduction, scoring 27.4 in cheer, 33.1 in stunts, and 23.0 in overall.
 
Pine-Richland placed fourth overall in 3A, and claimed the classification’s small varsity title with a score of 82.1. Hopewell was the 2A small varsity champion after netting a score of 71.6, while Butler earned the co-ed championship after posting a score of 76.6.
 
There was a total of 15 teams who qualified for the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) Championships. In 3A, Hempfield Area, South Fayette, Baldwin, Pine-Richland, Thomas Jefferson, Penn-Trafford, Norwin, Seneca Valley, North Hills, Plum, and Butler all advanced, while Laurel, Hopewell, Ringgold, and Neshannock moved on in the 2A classification.
 
The 10th annual PIAA Competitive Spirit Championships will be held at the GIANT Center in Hershey, Pa. on Jan. 28-29.
 
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