The Pahrump Valley High School varsity cheer team made a powerful statement in its return to competitive cheer, earning a second-place finish with zero deductions at the Spirit of the West Championships on Saturday, January 17.
The competition was held at Green Valley High School and featured high school cheer teams from across Southern Nevada. PVHS competed in the Varsity Show Cheer Non-Tumbling Novice division, the largest division of the day, which included six teams: Green Valley Christian School, Western High School, Clark High School, Veterans Tribute Career & Technical Academy, East Career & Technical Academy, and Pahrump Valley.
Nineteen athletes traveled to the competition, with 16 taking the mat for the varsity routine. Under the direction of Head Coach Marshira Nelson and Assistant Coach Bonnie Duda, the team delivered a polished 2.5-minute performance that earned them second place overall—and made them the only team in their division to receive a HIT ZERO, meaning the routine was completed without a single technical deduction, safety violation, or fall. Each athlete received a HIT ZERO pin in recognition of the achievement, along with individual medals, and the team brought home a Spirit of the West Championship banner.
For Coach Nelson, the HIT ZERO carried special significance. She emphasized that flawless execution is the ultimate goal in cheerleading, representing months of hard work and attention to detail coming together on the mat. Judges praised the team’s performance and provided feedback focused on fine-tuning—such as minor safety adjustments with props, adding level changes during stunts, and strengthening vocal projection using proper diaphragm support.
The day itself reflected the heart of cheer culture, beginning with early-morning run-throughs and the tradition of decorating clothespins—used by cheerleaders to wish one another good luck. While nerves were visible early on, excitement quickly took over as the team watched other performances and prepared for their own turn. Scheduled third in their division, the PVHS athletes made the most of their limited warm-up windows before stepping onto the competition mat with confidence and energy.
Parents in attendance described the performance as flawless and emotional to watch, noting the pride felt throughout the stands as the team’s name was called for second place. The result is especially meaningful for the PVHS community, as the cheer program had not competed since 2011, marking this season as a milestone year for the school.
Building on the momentum from Spirit of the West, PVHS Cheer will compete again on Saturday, January 31, at the PCS Championships hosted at Shadow Ridge High School. The team will compete in the same division at 1 p.m., and the event will also feature a parent/family team performance at 12p.m. Spectator admission is $10 for ages five and older, cash only.
With a hit-zero routine, a second-place finish, and a program officially back on the competition floor, PVHS Cheer has already put its mark on the season—and shown that even from a small, tight-knit community, big moments are possible.
*Photos provided by the team (coach and parents).
