The Richmond Hill competitive cheer team captured the Region 2-AAAAAA title Saturday at West Laurens.

Next up is the state tournament Nov. 10-11 at the Columbus Civic Center.

Team members are: Gracie Bean, Caitlin Boothe, Caroline Branan, Camdyn Brazzell, Heather Clifford, Ashlyn Fabre, Sydney Fortson, Mackenzie Frei, Hannah Gilkey, Allie Hill, Dequiala Kelly, Niyah Lawrence, Taylor Mason, Landin Strickland and Rylie Williamson. They are coached by Brittnee Coffman and Amy Blocker.

The Wildcats took first-place honors three times during the season leading up to regionals.

In its first two AAAAAA meets of the season, at the West Laurens Raider Rumble and the Screven County Gamecock Challenge hosted at Georgia Southern University, the Wildcats took first place overall and won the “lib-off” at both competitions. The word “lib” is a cheerleading term for a stunt. According to Coffman, at the end of each competition teams are invited to participate in the separate challenge. Whichever team holds the “lib” the longest and demonstrates the best safety wins. Each lib-off consists of a different number of competitors.

Richmond Hill also took first place at the Statesboro tournament. 

The Wildcats earned Elite Eight honors at the 2016 AAAAAA state tournament, their first year competing at that level. The team reached the Sweet 16 in 2015 at the AAAAA state tournament after capturing the Region 3-AAAAA title.