(image courtesy of LHSAA/Facebook)
For the first time in more than a decade the LHSAA will hold Cheer and Dance team state championships. Louisiana High School Coaches Association Director Jessica Barber says they are giving cheer and dance teams a chance to compete on a championship stage.
“I feel like bringing them back under the LHSAA, even though they won’t be considered sanctioned, is the respectful and right thing to do,” Barber said.
Cheer and Dance will remain a non-sanctioned activity, which means they will not operate under the same eligibility requirements and competition guidelines that LHSAA sanctioned sports must follow.
Barber says the 2026 Louisiana High School Cheer and Dance Championships will take place November 30th and December 1st at the Lake Charles Event Center, featuring competitions across multiple styles.
“For cheer, we’re going to do a gameday: All-girl and then a co-ed division. And then for dance, we’re going to do a hip-hop, jazz and gameday; and those will be broken down by school sizes as well,” Barber explained.
2013 was last time the LHSAA organized a cheer and dance championships. Barber says the 2026 championships are expected to feature more than 100 cheer and dance teams from across Louisiana. She says the level of interest in this event among the spirit community is amazing.
“There’s a level of respect that the coaches are feeling, and I think it has probably trickled down to their athletes,” Barber noted.
More information can be found at lhsaa.org.
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