The Emmaus High School cheerleaders were confident they had done well before learning of their top-five finish at the East Penn Conference Cheerleading Competition earlier this month at Easton Area Middle School.

“My stunt group did the best that we’ve ever done, ever. My jaw dropped when we went up,” said Emmaus cheerleader Mikayla Cannon. “It was so great, and I was having a good feeling about the other groups too.”

Fifteen squads competed, and Emmaus was second to perform.

“I liked it because they get it over and done with and don’t have all that downtime of sitting and waiting and waiting,” said Emmaus coach Lori Schaeffer. “They did a fantastic job.”

The Hornets have one of the largest squads with a roster of 25. Their routine was created by Schaeffer and co-coach Kailey Butz.

“First we have our standing tumbling, and then our partner pyramids and partner sequences, running tumbling, jumps, a cheer, a dance, and a pyramid,” said Emmaus cheerleader Lexie Spear. “I love our sequence because my group, we work really well together.”

A sequence is when one group is doing a stunt.

“I felt very confident about our stunts today,” said Emmaus cheerleader Taitum Mason, who completed a round-off double handspring for the first time. “I have a lot of faith in all the girls. I feel like the crowd was very into it and very excited.”

Easton’s cheerleaders won the EPC competition and Nazareth was the runner-up. Both teams were awarded medals.

Bethlehem Catholic placed third and Stroudsburg was fourth.

Emmaus will compete at the District 11 Cheerleading Competition scheduled for Jan. 4 at Easton Area Middle School.