Olympic-Size Controversy Brewing Over State Cheerleading Championships

The Broughton High School cheerleaders performed one of the more difficult routines, but they did not win.

The host of the competition, Davie County High School, was named champion, despite dropped stunts and what some say was an illegal stunt.

"Once we walked off the floor, we knew that we hit it," Broughton cheerleader Chrissy Pytko said. "We just want to see the better team that competed that day have the state championship."

Mark Lyczkowski emceed the competition and has been in the cheerleading business for about 14 years. He thought Broughton had won, but he said it all comes down to the scoring sheets, which are different at every competition.

Lyczkowski said the scoring system may have suited the Davie County team better, despite their mistakes.

"I think it was their cheer, the way they lead the crowd, the way they use signs," he said. "They do a stunt where a girl goes up with a sign that's velcroed to the front of her."

However, parents of the Broughton cheerleaders said that is little consolation. Chrissy's father, Mark, said a number of people in the cheerleading community believe they were robbed of the title. He and other parents are pushing for a review of the championship.

"Our team that particular day was better than their team, and we should have been awarded," Mark said. "My oldest daughter is a senior and this is the last chance she has, and I felt that it was taken away from her."

The North Carolina Cheerleading Coaches Association is reviewing the performances on tape, and if Davie County performed an illegal stunt, Broughton will be declared co-champions.