James has been covering high school sports in Utah for the Deseret News for three decades.
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It took a perfect effort to dethrone three-time champ Juab, but that’s exactly what North Sanpete’s co-ed competitive cheer team did at the 3A state championship on Friday night at UVU.
In the all-girl category, however, there was no denying Morgan its 3-peat.
North Sanpete and Morgan both swept all three categories during the electric competition to secure the coveted state titles.
North Sanpete has taken incremental steps to reach the top of 3A co-ed cheer. It finished in fourth place two years ago and then was runner-up to Juab a year ago.
Juab finished second in 3A co-ed, followed by Ben Lomond.
“I am incredibly proud of this team. From the very beginning, they set a goal and never lost sight of it. Their drive, focus and high expectations for one another set them apart. With grit, heart and determination, they took control of their journey and earned this state championship together,” said North Sanpete coach Stephanie Sorensen.
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Cheerleaders compete in the 6A state championships at UVU in Orem, on Friday, Jan. 24, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Cheerleaders compete in the 3A state championships at UVU in Orem, on Friday, Jan. 24, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Cheerleaders compete in the 3A state championships at UVU in Orem, on Friday, Jan. 24, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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North Sanpete celebrates their Coed Cheerleading state championship at UVU in Orem, on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Cheerleaders compete in the 3A state championships at UVU in Orem, on Friday, Jan. 24, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Cheerleaders compete in the 3A state championships at UVU in Orem, on Friday, Jan. 24, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Cheerleaders compete in the 3A state championships at UVU in Orem, on Friday, Jan. 24, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Cheerleaders compete in the 3A state championships at UVU in Orem, on Friday, Jan. 24, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Cheerleaders compete in the 3A state championships at UVU in Orem, on Friday, Jan. 24, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Cheerleaders compete in the 3A state championships at UVU in Orem, on Friday, Jan. 24, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Cheerleaders compete in the 3A state championships at UVU in Orem, on Friday, Jan. 24, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Cheerleaders compete in the 3A state championships at UVU in Orem, on Friday, Jan. 24, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Cheerleaders compete in the 3A state championships at UVU in Orem, on Friday, Jan. 24, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Cheerleaders compete in the 3A state championships at UVU in Orem, on Friday, Jan. 24, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Cheerleaders compete in the 3A state championships at UVU in Orem, on Friday, Jan. 24, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Cheerleaders compete in the 3A state championships at UVU in Orem, on Friday, Jan. 24, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Cheerleaders compete in the 3A state championships at UVU in Orem, on Friday, Jan. 24, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Cheerleaders compete in the 3A state championships at UVU in Orem, on Friday, Jan. 24, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Cheerleaders compete in the 3A state championships at UVU in Orem, on Friday, Jan. 24, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Cheerleaders compete in the 3A state championships at UVU in Orem, on Friday, Jan. 24, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Cheerleaders compete in the 3A state championships at UVU in Orem, on Friday, Jan. 24, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Cheerleaders compete in the 3A state championships at UVU in Orem, on Friday, Jan. 24, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Cheerleaders compete in the 3A state championships at UVU in Orem, on Friday, Jan. 24, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Cheerleaders compete in the 3A state championships at UVU in Orem, on Friday, Jan. 24, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Cheerleaders compete in the 3A state championships at UVU in Orem, on Friday, Jan. 24, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Cheerleaders compete in the 3A state championships at UVU in Orem, on Friday, Jan. 24, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Cheerleaders compete in the 3A state championships at UVU in Orem, on Friday, Jan. 24, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Cheerleaders compete in the 6A state championships at UVU in Orem, on Friday, Jan. 24, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Cheerleaders compete in the 6A state championships at UVU in Orem, on Friday, Jan. 24, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Cheerleaders compete in the 6A state championships at UVU in Orem, on Friday, Jan. 24, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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North Sanpete celebrates their coed cheerleading state championship at UVU in Orem on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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North Sanpete celebrates their coed cheerleading state championship at UVU in Orem on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Morgan celebrates their all girl state championship in 3A at UVU in Orem on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Cheerleaders compete in the 3A state championships at UVU in Orem on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Morgan celebrates their all girl state championship in 3A at UVU in Orem on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Her assistant coaches are Amber Kendall and Kristen Mecham.
North Sanpete’s team members are: Aibree Allen, Makinley Burnside, Jenna Christiansen, Kambrie Colby, Liam Davis, Nikoi Dyches, Hadlee Emerick, Kymrie Garff, Kodi Gibson, Riley Hansen, Meagan Heftel, Kaydance Jacobson, Aubree Kendall, Rebecca Madsen, Ada Mangum, Lyla Mangum, Taylie McQuivey, Kambree Miner, Jacie Patterson, Daeman Pullan, Tenley Rosenlof, Haizee Runolfson, Paityn Salisbury, Lexi Seely, Melody Shoda, Alahna Smith, Kate Sorensen, Kaitlyn Taylor, Bristol Thompson, Isaac Wallace and Hailee Wilson.
For Morgan, it swept first-place finishes in Dance, Cheer and Show to win its third straight 3A state championship. In the inaugural year that the UHSAA sanction competitive cheer, 4A and 3A were lumped into the same category, otherwise it likely would’ve been a four-peat for the Trojans.
Manti finished runner-up in 3A all-girl cheer, followed by Richfield in third.
“What makes this team truly amazing isn’t just the trophies and banners — it’s the kindness they show to each other and the respect they give every team on and off the mat. Three years of heart, humility and hard work led to three straight back-to-back state titles. One incredible cheer family that goes far beyond trophies," said Morgan coach Sue Ann Kelsey.
Cheerleaders compete in the 3A state championships at UVU in Orem, on Friday, Jan. 24, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News