CIF Southern Section Cancels Competitive Cheer Competition

LOS ALAMITOS, CA —On Friday, approximately 100 parents and athletes stood at the corner of Los Alamitos Boulevard and Katella intersection to support the #LetThemPlay movement. Many student-athletes from Los Alamitos High School, Cerritos High School, Cypress High School, Millikan High School, St. Anthony High School, Edison High School were all in attendance, along with Supervisor Don Wagner an outspoken supporter of allowing students to return to sports.

Three days later, the CIF Southern Section sidelined the April competitive cheer championships, an enormous blow to Los Alamitos High School, who placed first in the Division 1A competition in the 2019/20 season.

On Monday, a CIF spokesperson reported that the California Department of Public Health restrictions makes practicing for such championship games, such as competitive cheer, impossible due to health guidelines.

More than 3,000,000 children in California, ranging from T-Ball to youth soccer to all high school sports, have been "benched" since March due to the coronavirus. The current sports color-tiered system outlined by Gov. Gavin Newsom's office shows that competitive sports will be all but unattainable for most athletes in the 2020-21 season.

While cross country teams are able to compete, others, such as the Competitive Cheer teams, are unable to do so. A recent lawsuit sparked by a student-athlete in San Diego has called Newsom into account over preventing competition in youth sports, as has a letter from state representatives that outlines how to safely return to sport.

At Friday's rally, mother Stephanie Born says their main goal was to garner support for the kids.

"We wanted to reach as many passing cars as possible," Born says, "I feel we did just that."

Commissioner of Athletes Rob Wigod released a statement on Monday morning discussing the reasons for canceling the April 3 CIF Southern Section Competitive Cheer Championship. Having student-athletes from seven counties compete against one another during the April event was just not possible due to public health regulations, Wigod said.

After discussing the options with the Cheer Advisory Committee, the championships could not be held "in the manner they deserve," according to Wigod.

Wigod and the committee agreed that any virtual performances would "not meet the standards of a CIF Southern Section Championship event," and so that decision was tabled.

"Current California Department of Public Health Guidelines for Youth Sports significantly limit our Cheer programs being able to adequately prepare for our championships and/or participate in competitions leading up to our championships," CIF said in a statement.

The CIF Southern Section plans to meet Tuesday to discuss Beach Volleyball, Baseball, and Softball. A discussion about whether to allow Traditional Competitive Cheer Teams to compete on Sunday at the National High School Cheerleading Championships each year is also planned for Tuesday.

Read also: 'Let Them Play' California Lawsuit Fights For Youth Sports