The Siuslaw Vikings cheerleading team is giving Florence something to, well, cheer about.

The Vikings won a second-place trophy and a third-place trophy Saturday at the Cottage Grove Cheer Challenge.

"The team did great," first-year coach Teri Straley said. "This was our first competition of the season and half the team had never been to a cheer competition before.

"I'm so proud of what they were able to accomplish this weekend, especially with having to change some things last minute and remembering some of those changes."

The second-place trophy was in the game day category of Band Dance/Cheers/Fight Song. The third-place trophy was in 1A/2A/3A/4A varsity full routine.

The Vikings next compete in the Springfield Invitational on Feb. 1 at Springfield High School, then the Tualatin Last Chance competition Feb. 8 at Tualatin High School.

Then, with good fortune and routines, on to state Feb. 15 at Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Portland.

"As for state, they are looking good," Straley said. "We have had members who had to leave for personal reasons, and there needs to be some more changes done to make the routine and team come together and push forward.

"They have all worked hard and will continue to work hard and move forward. They are showing good promise of placing at state, and wanting to get more advanced stunts in our routine for it."