The Virginia High School League(VHSL) Cheerleading Competition that took place on November 4, 2023 at the VCU Siegel Center resulted in Stafford High School winning the State Champions of Class 6. Stafford scored a 280.25, which put a two-point gap between the Indians and Colgan High School, who took home the second place win.
Two days later, Stafford’s cheerleaders discovered they were not the only state champions from a post on Instagram.
On November 6, 2023 at 5:07pm, Colgan High School’s cheerleading page, @colgancheer, posted a team picture in their cafeteria with the caption, “So proud we are officially Co-State Champions for Class 6! #WeAreColgan #WeAreStateChamps.”
In an email from the Virginia High School League received by SHS Athletic Director, Chris Dodd, the league wrote, “VHSL has declared Stafford High School and Colgan High School as Class 6 competition co-champions for the 2023 season due to a clerical error in the technical score sheet, which had an incomplete information for tumbling deductions.” The information was sent later than the post, and the the exact mistake was not made clear.
The VHSL has yet to respond to questions from Stafford High School’s Cheerleading Coach, Janet Barham.
The original email, sent by the VHSL, continues, “It is important to note that the judges, tabulators, coaches, and student-athletes were not at fault for this mistake.” VHSL finishes the statement by adding, “The Virginia High School League accepts responsibility for the clerical error. We apologize and congratulate Stafford and Colgan High School for the 2023 state cheerleading championship.”
Although VHSL made it clear neither of the programs are at fault for the mistakes made on Saturday night, the entire situation has left many questions unanswered. Colgan High School’s coaching staff and athletic director were asked for comments on the situation, but did not respond before the publishing of this article.
When asked to comment, Coach Barham said she would like to wait until more concrete information is revealed.
This story is subject to updates and new information will be added as it becomes available.