The Siuslaw Vikings cheerleaders are back in the state tournament.

The Vikings are one of 11 schools scheduled to compete Saturday, Feb. 15, at the Oregon School Activities Association 2020 State Cheerleading Championships at Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

"Although this year has been tough with having people leave the team for personal reasons and all the changes that we have had made," first-year coach Teri Straley said.

"But those who are still on the team show a lot of commitment and work hard to achieve their goal are hoping to place in the top four at state."

The Vikings roster includes freshmen Gillian Norton and Maddie Petterson, sophomores Arrianna Brown, Brooke Olson, Destiny Teel and Sydney Hilterbrant and junior Adria Sandusky.

"We are actually down to seven girls," Straley said. "Just happened this week. We've had to change up formations and choreography to fit the team."

The Vikings have responded well to this adversity, she said.

"(Friday) they informed me that they feel so much more confident with how our routine is now than ever!" Straley said. "I feel confident in what they achieved with everything that has happened to this and they drive to continue to improve and work."

Siuslaw will perform at a dance competition Saturday in Tualatin as a final tune-up for state.

Next Saturday (Feb. 15), Siuslaw will perform at 10:40 a.m. The Vikings have a photo session at 9:25 a.m., check-in at 10:10 a.m., practice at 10:15 a.m. and are on-deck at 10:25 a.m.

Other 4A schools competing include Cottage Grove, Gladstone, Madras, Molalla, Ontario, Philomath, Seaside, Sisters and Sweet Home.

Newport won in 2019, followed by Sweet Home, Gladstone, Sisters and Ontario. Siuslaw finished ninth of among the 10 4A schools competing.

The 4A and 3A/2A/1A schools, 24 in all, are schedule to perform in the morning, with South Umpqua first up at 9 a.m. and Harrisburg the last at 11:15 a.m.

An awards ceremony will follow the conclusion of the morning session.

The 5A and 6A schools, 54 in all, will compete in the afternoon session which begins with Liberty at 12:45 p.m. and ends with Redmond at 5:50 p.m.

A complete championship schedule is online at http://www.osaa.org/docs/che/ChampionshipSchedule.pdf.