The Siuslaw Vikings cheerleaders took on the twists and turns of a tough season Saturday with a high finish in their season finale at Salem.

The Vikings coed team finished first among Class 4A schools and fourth overall at the Oregon Cheerleading Coaches Association Cheer Championships at the Salem Pavilion.

"When we were done on the floor, there were tears and hugs all around," Vikings coach Teri Straley said.

"Words cannot express everything I am feeling for this team. I am so proud of them."

Straley's sentiments were echoed by senior captain Brooke Olson.

"I'm proud of all my girls and Dante (Galli, the only male member of the team) for sticking through it," Olson said.

"I love every single one of them. This team will always have a place in my heart."

The Vikings finished ahead of both Marshfield and Philomath, switching the script from a week earlier at the Oregon School Activities Association all-classifications state championships.

"(The OCCA) championships was fun," Straley said. "This team, no this family of cheerleaders and coaches are so happy to have this competition be our finale."

Changes are in store for next year's team, especially with the graduations of Olson, Galli, Haylee Cole and Alexia Clark.

The team will lose its coed status if no replacement is found for Galli, and the school is moving to the Class 3A Mountain Valley Conference from the Class 4A Sky-Em League.

"I couldn't have asked for a more hard working team," Straley said. "I can't wait to see what next year brings."

SIUSLAW CHEER ROSTER
Freshmen
Darcy Edman
Ashlyn Hart
Claire Lindell
Sophomores
Ally Contreras
Rosa Velasco-Mendez
Parker Sydow
Juniors
Ava Coggins
Gillian Norton
Seniors
Alexia Clark
Haylee Cole
Dante Galli
Brooke Olson
Coach: Teri Straley
Assistants: Desteny Johnson, Lori Straley