There was a lot to cheer about in Diddle Arena today during the Kentucky High School Athletic Association competitive cheer championships.

The championship started at 8 a.m. and went until 7:30 p.m. Awards were presented after each competition block.

This is the first year for KHSAA to host the competition. The winning school in each division at the regional level is advancing to the state competition.

Ruth Powell and her husband Norm, of Lexington, said they came to support their granddaughter.

“It’s always good to see young women come together and compete,” she said.

Powell said her granddaughter’s team came in fourth place.

“She did really well,” she said.

Powell said she isn’t a stranger to WKU — this is her second time coming to campus. She said she enjoyed the venue because it was really nice, had good seating, good parking and everyone was welcoming.

Amanda Barks of Morgantown said she’s also familiar with WKU because she used to be a student here.

She said she came to support her daughter, a sophomore from Butler County.

Barks also said she was glad the competition was right on schedule.

“They broke it into sessions so that we could get out of here quicker,” Barks said.

Jana Lehky of Paducah came to support her son, a senior at Reidland High School. This is his second year in the competition.

“This will be the last year that Reidland High School will be competing because they’re consolidating,” she said, referring to Reidland, Lone Oak and Heath High Schools of Paducah being combined for the next school year.

Lehky said they won nationals last year, but came in second this year.

Melissa Siener of Paducah, accompanied Lehky because their sons are both on the team, best friends and neighbors.

“I think this year the competition is more live, and that’s a positive thing,” she said.