Competitive Cheer: 8-7-6-1! Host Falcons Complete Flight from Last to First with Dulles District Title

Briar Woods 4-year cheerleaders: Emma Garcia, Morgan McGovern and Danielle Deal


Briar Woods Cheer coach Kristen Develli

By Dan Sousa
VivaLoudoun.com Editor

Ashburn (Oct. 21, 2009) - For the Briar Woods High School competitive cheer squad the past four years has been a battle of small improvements as the Falcons went from last in the district in 2006 to seventh place in 2007 and then sixth place last year. On Wednesday, however, the Falcons soared to the top, winning the AA Dulles District title in front a packed gym in Brambleton.

The past four years had belonged to Broad Run (district champs in 2005 and 2007) and Potomac Falls (district champs in 2006 and 2008) and with the teams circled on the gym floor in anticipation, it came down to the host Falcons and neighbor Spartans of Broad Run after Potomac Falls and Freedom had been announced as fourth and third place.

When Broad Run was announced  as runner-up the Briar Woods girls broke into smiles and eyes widened but they held their celebration in check until the P.A. confirmed what they knew to be true: Briar Woods was Dulles District champs and the Falcon fans let out a roar as the Briar Woods girls jumped for joy and hugged each other.
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The quality of the meet was evident on the judges scorecards as Broad Run, AA state runner-ups the past three years, finished second with a routine that earned 235.5 points. That would have been good enough to win the meet last season but Briar Woods, with no deductions, scored 246.5, a score, if repeated, that could propel the Falcons to a regional title and put them in the running at states.

The top four teams advance to the Region II meet which will feature 14 teams. Just a half-point separated Potomac Falls and Freedom.

Please check back for photos of the awards ceremony and video interviews with the Briar Woods competitive cheer 4-year seniors and coach.

Dulles District Competitive Cheer Meet
1, Briar Woods 246.5
2, Broad Run 235.5
3, Freedom 205.0
4, Potomac Falls 204.5
5, Dominion 181
6, Park View 171
7, Loudoun County 170.5

Five-Year Dulles District Snapshot
2009 - Briar Woods, Broad Run, Freedom, Potomac Falls
2008 - Potomac Falls, Broad Run, Heritage, Dominion
2007 - Broad Run, Potomac Falls, Heritage, Loudoun County
2006 - Potomac Falls, Broad Run, Loudoun County, Freedom
2005 - Broad Run, Potomac Falls, Heritage