By Derek Thompson | The Selma Times-Journal

Morgan Academy’s 2015-2016 junior varsity cheerleading squad won their first cheer competition in six years and earned a trip to the beach.

The Senators JV squad earned the distinction as overall camp champs — awarded to the top overall cheer squad in each division — in the medium squad division at last week’s AISA West Cheer Camp at Huntingdon College in Montgomery.

The team finished first place in cheer and extreme routine, which was enough to push it over the top.

“We were so excited to have a win,” said Morgan head coach Tiffany Nettles. “Oh my goodness, they are beside themselves. They were crying and hootin’ and hollerin’. It was quite a moment that’s for sure. It was just a big day and big moment for them.”

The win also means a prize from Nettles, who said she will take the team to the beach before school starts back next month.

“I just feel like they need some summertime fun too,” Nettles said.

Each team at the camp learns the same dance routine, but gets a chance to incorporate its own twist to the end. Nettles said it was Morgan’s flair at the end that won the Senators first overall.

“Each school comes up with their own ending,” Nettles said. “Each school at camp learns the same dance and then you add something to it. Everybody’s is different. What we added on is what we won with.”

Three of the Senators’ JV girls were named to the Universal Cheerleaders Association All-American Team. The honors earned Peyton Ellen Granthum, Mary Carolyn Haugen and Mary Margaret Beers’ a trip to Orlando, Fla. where they will participate in the Thanksgiving Parade of Bands at the Walt Disney World Resort on Nov. 26.

Nettles said the AISA West Cheer Camp is usually the only time her squad competes other than the state competition, which is in August.

This year, Nettles said Morgan Academy will not attend the state competition because she thinks the girls need to enjoy the rest of the summer after the hard work they’ve already put in.