KHSAA has admitted that mistakes were made in judging the Region 14 Cheer Competition that resulted in the KCC cheer team being incorrectly scored. The issue in question resulted from a misunderstanding/misinterpretation of the rules concerning legal positioning of a Co-Ed base in the group pyramid. The judges refused to score both pyramid categories (difficulty & execution) which resulted in 0 points for both. Had the team been given even the minimum scores in these categories it would have been enough to win the event and qualify for the State Competition.

A similar case took place in 2013 and KHSAA made the correct call and allowed PRP to participate in the State event. The key is that both cases had to do with the way the judges interpreted/understood the rules. Neither was a judgment call. For the integrity of KHSAA sports and in the best interest of the student athletes, we ask that KHSAA correct this mistake and allow KCC Cheer to compete at the State competition. KHSAA surely understands this as noted in Commissioner Julian Tackett’s response to the previous case involving PRP in 2013:

“Had it not been for the recent ruling at the competition, this squad would have scored first in the event and advanced to the state championships. Because of the possibility of miscommunication or a misapplication of the rules, and based solely on the accurately submitted written reports by the judges and the new interpretations, we have decided to act in the best interest of the students and advance the squad to the state championship. Whenever this specific set of circumstances occurs to create the possibility of doubt, we should always endeavor to error on the side of the kids.” (emphasis added)

KHSAA needs to once again err on the side of the kids and allow Knott County Central to compete at the State Championship on December 13, 2014.