Months of early mornings, sacrificed lunch breaks and weekend rehearsals have paid off spectacularly, with Mackay North State High School securing three state titles and two Grand Champion crowns.
The school's cheer, hip hop and contemporary teams each placed first at the Australian All Star Cheerleading Federation Queensland State Championships on the Gold Coast at the weekend.
The cheer team was also named Grand Champion after achieving the highest score across its broader level, while the contemporary team was crowned overall scholastic dance champion after recording the highest-scoring routine across all school dance divisions.
(*Scroll to the bottom to watch back the three winning performances*)
The event marked the cheer team's first away competition and the dance teams' first outside Mackay in several years.
Cheer coach and teacher Kelly Munt said the 23 athletes had to master different moves and sequences while working together to execute one seamless routine.
“We knew the potential (to win) was absolutely there," Mrs Munt said.
“We've got some super talented and dedicated athletes across the board."
Their preparation paid off when the cheerleaders “hit zero", meaning they executed the fast-paced routine without receiving a single deduction.
“I gave the kids a pretty challenging routine, if I'm being honest, for a school team," Mrs Munt said.
“For them to go out there, have a belief in themselves and put that on the floor was incredible."
Year 11 cheer student Erin Insch said the unexpected result prompted celebrations and “a couple of happy tears" from her peers.
North High offers cheer as a subject from Years 8 to 10, while senior students can give up their flexible learning time to continue training and mentor younger athletes.
Erin said the program helped to build friendships across year levels and demanded complete trust, with every athlete's performance affecting the entire routine.
“You have to rely on the other girls," she said.
“You earn so many relationships and friendships between all the grades as well."
Dance teacher and coach Darci Martyn said the school had enjoyed success at local competitions, including Mackay's Infinite Spirit event, but this was its first triumph at state level.
She said the win was unexpected and a “great" reward for the students who had helped choreograph “really beautiful" routines.
The students are now chasing back-to-back titles in 2027 and hope to eventually represent North High at a national competition.