Georgia Cheerleaders Break Barrier to Reach Nationals

When Collins Hill High School's cheerleading team won the Georgia state championship in December 2025, they thought their season was over. A little-known rule from the Georgia High School Association banned cheerleading teams from competing out of state, meaning their dreams of nationals were dead on arrival.

But these 26 athletes weren't ready to give up. Head coach Katie Birkhead and her team launched a campaign of phone calls, letters, and emails to change the association's mind. They pointed out that football, basketball, and other sports had clear pathways to national competition. Why should cheerleading be different?

Two days before Christmas, the answer came. The GHSA granted them an exception, and suddenly the impossible became reality. Collins Hill would represent Georgia at the Universal Cheer Association National Championship in Orlando, making history as the first cheerleading team from their state to compete on this prestigious stage.

The team brought the same energy that won them state. Their routine featured a crowd-favorite routine set to the NFL on Fox theme song. More importantly, they brought the support of their entire school community, from the football players they cheer for to classmates who asked to join them in Orlando.

"Watching their dedication this entire season, we knew that this team was going to do big things," Birkhead said. The team practiced tirelessly from tryouts through state championships, proving that cheerleading demands the same athletic commitment as any other sport.

Why This Inspires

This story goes beyond one team's success. Collins Hill's fight highlights how outdated policies can hold talented athletes back simply because their sport doesn't fit traditional definitions. These cheerleaders didn't just win a championship. They challenged a system that treated their sport as less legitimate than others.

Their victory could reshape the future for Georgia cheerleaders. Birkhead hopes the exception becomes permanent policy, allowing future teams to compete nationally when they earn the opportunity. "They deserve it as much as the other sports do," she said.

The team competed in Orlando on February 7, 2026, carrying Georgia's hopes with them. Regardless of their placement, they've already won something bigger: recognition that cheerleading athletes deserve the same opportunities as everyone else.

Their journey proves that sometimes the biggest victories happen before you ever step on the competition floor.