MARYSVILLE — The Marysville-Pilchuck cheer squad took home many honors at the National Cheer Association, including best dance.

Six girls were nominated for the All-American Cheer Team with captain Alyson Shaffer making the squad.

Schaffer also was appointed to the NCA staff.

“I was really proud of how we all got closer as a team,” Schaffer said. “We didn’t have a good year last year, so we improved a lot.”

In the five-day competition, the girls won best dance, standing out among the 40 other cheer squads. M-P also won ribbons for evaluations, a trophy for best chant and for the first time achieved a spirit stick every night. Other spoils included winning packets of Gatorade mix and a jug.

“I’m really proud of us,” Holly Shoemaker said. “I think we all worked really hard and improved a lot. I think we also grew more as a team.”

Cheerleading is like any other athletic discipline, requiring its participants to be committed and to practice several times a week.

“They need to be well-coordinated and have rhythm,” cheer coach Gayle Goudsward said. “They need to be coachable and have a positive attitude.”

The team was chosen in April and has trained all summer preparing to cheer for football.

The Tomahawk cheerleading squad traveled to the NCA in Ellensburg July 21-25.