The dedication of Luverne School’s cheerleaders recently paid off.

The squad won the Top Team and Most Improved trophies following its four-day National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) sanctioned camp at Troy University this summer.

&uot;I thought they did fantastic,&uot; tenth-year cheerleading coach Tammy Alford said. &uot;They did wonderful. They won the highest trophy they could win. They worked together as a team really well. They’re a very special group.&uot;

The cheerleaders learned cheers, chants, dances, stunts and jumps while at camp. They received superior ratings for their cheers and chants; and also won the spirit stick everyday, which is given to the teams with the most overall spirit.

Alford said the camp also helped improve team unity.

&uot;Our overall achievement would have to be how they learned to work together as a team,&uot; Alford said.

The Top Team trophy was awarded to Luverne’s cheerleaders for their overall cheer, which consisted of advanced level stunts, motions and jumps.

The team also had six girls nominated as All-Americans and Mallory McDougald was named an NCA All-American cheerleader.

Luverne’s squad continued to work hard throughout the summer following camp. They practiced three-to-four days a week in preparation for the school year.

&uot;They achieved a lot to prepare for football and basketball season,&uot; Alford said.