ORLANDO, Fla. – The Thompson High School Pep Band, Cheer Team and Dance Team are on their way back from Orlando, Florida, after all three teams secured first place at nationals.
All three THS teams headed down to the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida, to compete in the Varsity National Championship, which included divisions for dance, cheer and pep band. All three teams secured first place as National School Spirit Champions, among other accolades.
"For the first time in Varsity National Championship history, the Thompson High School Warriors took home a clean sweep," said Graham Bennett, director of bands at THS. "This is not only a victory for the city of Alabaster, but for the entire state of Alabama. The Cheer team, Dance team and (Pep) Band dominated as one and as many as they took on the nation's best competitors and came out victorious."
The students are returning home from nationals with the following accolades:
- First place: National School Spirit Champion: Dance, band and cheer
- First place: Spirit Program Live: Dance band and cheer
- First place: Pep Band: THS Pep band
- Second place: Small Varsity High Kick: Dance
- Third place: Super Non-Tumbling Game Day: Cheer
"I'm super stoked about what these kids and athletes have done because between myself, Mrs. Emily Bennett, Mr. Graham Bennett and our collaboration with another and seeing what we were able to do collectively as a whole group is remarkable," said Richard Sutton, THS head cheer coach. "It makes me feel like we're on top of the world right now because it's been a long time coming."
Sutton shared that having all three teams down at the competition allowed them to cheer on one another during individual competitions and also improve their cohesiveness as a group.
"Being able to watch our pep band performing their routine and then also having our pep band and dance team coming to watch us do our routines really helped with that cohesiveness and support that Thompson vibes on," he said.
This year marked the first time that the Spirit Program Live division was held for the high school rankings and all three teams secured first place.
"To be first in the division one category is really remarkable," Sutton said.
After securing victory, the students were awarded with a couple of extra days at Orlando to soak in the moment and enjoy a reprieve after months of dedicated hard work and practice.
"We don't talk about the parks until we're finished with competition and with the support of administration—Dr. (Wesley) Hester and Dr. (Wayne) Vickers—they allowed us to stay a couple of extra days so they can enjoy all the heart of what they've put in the whole entire season, from beginning all the way to the end," Sutton said.
The following coaches led their students in helping make the 2026 Game Day Live competition a success:
- Emily Bennett - Head dance team coach
- Harlie Wilson – Assistant dance team coach
- Richard Sutton - Head cheer team coach
- Brittany Sport – Assistant cheer team coach
- Alexa Couch – Assistant cheer team coach
- Graham Bennett - Head band director
- Jamiah Robbins – Assistant band director
- Elizabeth Patrick - Assistant athletic director
- Emily Rich - Athletic trainer
"We as the coaches would like to extend our deepest gratitude and thanks to our incredible Alabaster City Schools Board, superintendent, administrators, coaches, teachers, parents, families and our wonderful community of Alabaster," Graham Bennett said. "We couldn't do any of what we do without your ceaseless support. As always, it is a great day to be a Warrior."
