KEAAU – They were recently seen rooting on Waiakea’s football team, and they’ll soon be making their presence felt to support Warriors basketball.

In between, the school’s cheerleaders moved from the sidelines to center stage to settle some of their own business.

Usually imploring Waiakea be No. 1, the squad had No. 4 in mind, and the Warriors got there, claiming their fourth consecutive BIIF championship in a six-school competition last week at Kamehameha.

“Since my freshman year my goal was to win BIIFs four times in a row,” senior Emma Fincher said. “Tonight, we met that goal, and we made history. I am so proud to be a part of this team, my second family.”

Coach Lody Switzer credited a challenging routine that gave Waiakea a chance to try and max out the scorecard in almost every category.

Every year, the Warriors finish that routine looking to dazzle the judges with their dance.

“It is the time to show off our personalities and work it,” Fincher said. “We know when we hit the dance we hit the routine. The dance is always our favorite part. Let’s just say we end with a bang.”

The judged obviously liked what they saw as Waiakea scored a comfortable victory with 479.25 points. Kamehameha (392) edged Kealakehe (383.25) for second place, and all three schools will compete at the HHSAA championships, set for Nov. 4 at Blaisdell Center in Honolulu.

Waiakea has posted three consecutive top-three finishes, including runner-up in 2015.

Cheerleading is not all glitz and glamour, senior Mariah Higashi said.

“Honestly, getting to this fourpeat was hard, but it is one of the best feelings I have ever experienced in cheerleading,” she said. “This team works 100 percent and never gives up, which makes this routine work.

“We had many obstacles along the way. We had to keep pushing though even if were tired and constantly fight to hit the routine, but it was all worth it in the end.”

Switzer said one of the hardest components was paring the roster down for the competition, though she credited assistant coaches Tanya Switzer and Rusti Gomes for helping to put thee team together.

“The attitude of the team makes things easier,” Lody Switzger said.

Hilo (379.25), Keaau (288.5) – the last squad to win the BIIF title before Waiakea started its run – and Ka’u (204) also competed.

KEAAU – They were recently seen rooting on Waiakea’s football team, and they’ll soon be making their presence felt to support Warriors basketball.

In between, the school’s cheerleaders moved from the sidelines to center stage to settle some of their own business.

Usually imploring Waiakea be No. 1, the squad had No. 4 in mind, and the Warriors got there, claiming their fourth consecutive BIIF championship in a six-school competition last week at Kamehameha.

“Since my freshman year my goal was to win BIIFs four times in a row,” senior Emma Fincher said. “Tonight, we met that goal, and we made history. I am so proud to be a part of this team, my second family.”

Coach Lody Switzer credited a challenging routine that gave Waiakea a chance to try and max out the scorecard in almost every category.

Every year, the Warriors finish that routine looking to dazzle the judges with their dance.

“It is the time to show off our personalities and work it,” Fincher said. “We know when we hit the dance we hit the routine. The dance is always our favorite part. Let’s just say we end with a bang.”

The judged obviously liked what they saw as Waiakea scored a comfortable victory with 479.25 points. Kamehameha (392) edged Kealakehe (383.25) for second place, and all three schools will compete at the HHSAA championships, set for Nov. 4 at Blaisdell Center in Honolulu.

Waiakea has posted three consecutive top-three finishes, including runner-up in 2015.

Cheerleading is not all glitz and glamour, senior Mariah Higashi said.

“Honestly, getting to this fourpeat was hard, but it is one of the best feelings I have ever experienced in cheerleading,” she said. “This team works 100 percent and never gives up, which makes this routine work.

“We had many obstacles along the way. We had to keep pushing though even if were tired and constantly fight to hit the routine, but it was all worth it in the end.”

Switzer said one of the hardest components was paring the roster down for the competition, though she credited assistant coaches Tanya Switzer and Rusti Gomes for helping to put thee team together.

“The attitude of the team makes things easier,” Lody Switzger said.

Hilo (379.25), Keaau (288.5) – the last squad to win the BIIF title before Waiakea started its run – and Ka’u (204) also competed.