As a Michael Jackson tune blared through speakers in a packed Westminster High School gymnasium on Jan. 23, the cheerleading squad from Winters Mill High School rose to its feet, clapping and dancing as other squads quickly joined them.

After a full day of cheering, waiting and cheering some more, Carroll County's eight high school varsity cheering squads and seven junior varsity squads still had some energy — and were ready to have some fun while the judges tallied the numbers to determine a winner in the Carroll County Winter Cheerleading Competition.

When Westminster High's junior varsity squad was announced the winner in its division, parents David Alban and Melanie Harrang let out whooping cheers of joy that did their respective daughters proud.

Harrang said the JV squad, of which her daughter, Colin, is a member, had been worried that their performance wasn't up to snuff.

"They were not happy" after the performance, she said. "They said they did better in warm-up."

Still, it turned out to be good enough for the JV crown.

Alban said his daughter, Shelly, had been cheering since she was 3.

"She came all the way up through Gamber's program," he said. "It's a lot of work and a lot of dedication. She's always hurt, and there's always drama."

In the varsity division, the drama was all about whether Century High School might repeat as the champion after last January's win in the winter competition.

After losing first place to Francis Scott Key at the Fall Competition in October, Century's squad regrouped -- and did recapture the first place title.

This time, Key came in second.

"I'm very proud of the girls," said a beaming Darby O'Brien, Century's head coach. "We lost three girls this season (from last year's squad). We pulled together and worked hard. I'm very happy."

Six judges — three performance judges, one head judge and two technical judges — awarded points to each squad based on a system that covered everything from voice projection and stunts to level of difficult, motion, dance and tosses.

Points are taken off for falls, illegal execution of stunts, "wobbling," dropped items and more.

Though they did not place first, the host Westminster High School's varsity squad was pleased with its third place finish, and with the overall event.

"We've come so close and then missed it," said Tanya Kozo, a Westminster senior, of previous years. For her, a strong finish was a satisfying way to close out her senior year.

"It's great," she said.

"The level of ability of girls and coaches has stepped up a lot," said Kari Ganske, competition director for the county and a former Westminster cheerleading coach.

"It's so exciting," she said. "(Cheering as a sport) has grown so much. ... I love this day, especially when I'm not coaching."

O'Brien said Century's squad of 20 girls would take it easy for a couple of days -- then start gearing up for the regional tournament on Feb. 10, which will be held at Westminster High School.

There, top squads from Baltimore, Harford and Frederick counties will compete. Both Century and Francis Scott Key will represent Carroll County at the meet.

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