Jenks High School Varsity, JV Pom Squads Return As National Champions

Jenks High School Varsity and Junior Varsity Pom Squads made history last week after getting crowned Game Day National Champions at the Universal Dance Association in Orlando, Florida.

This is the first time Jenks High School Varsity has won the title. Junior Varisty won in 2019, 2020 and 2023.

Tulsa International Airport was packed with Jenks fans. There were signs, pom poms being waved, and even a few men dressed up as Trojans.

A few of the Varsity Pom Members said they weren't expecting such a big crowd to greet them but that the support means so much.

The Jenks Varsity Pom Squad beat 58 teams to earn the title, but Trojan team Captain Alyssa Sanders said they faced fierce competition.

"Some of the teams we went against were just unbelievably good," said Alyssa Sanders. "We watched them and were like, no way, just because they're so good."

There are three rounds in the competition. They scored so high in the preliminary round that they got to skip the semi-final on a routine head coach Kristin Phibbs created.

"I think it was something you don't always see, and so I think it was something different to help them stand out,” said Phibbs. “I think it had a good entertainment factor."

When The Jenks High School Trojans were announced first place, they said they couldn't believe it.

"I was already crying when it got to top three. I was like, oh my gosh, then our name got announced last for first place, so I was in shock," said Sanders.

When the Varsity and Junior Varsity teams came back to Tulsa with their medals on and trophy in hand, they were met with a wave of support from the community.

"It was great to be able to follow behind them to see the girls getting the congratulations. To see people clapping for them, and everybody made a great deal out of it," said Phibbs.

"Usually, our parents come to welcome us back to Tulsa, but I didn’t expect other people," said Sanders.