The John Paul II Crusaders Cheer team won first place, while Aerial Cheer Athletics had teams place third and fifth. (Image Credit: submitted/Rena Fauchon)

By Ryan Lambert

Best of the west tournament

North Battleford cheer teams thrive in Best of the West tournament

Feb 11, 2026 | 5:29 PM

Over the weekend, the Best of the West Cheer and Dance championship was held in Moose Jaw, Sask. with the Aerial Athletics Cheer team as well as John Paul II Collegiate competing. 

In the tournament, the John Paul II team placed first and won the grand champion for the Scholastic School Division.

“It was a clean run. It was just so good. It was probably the best run they’ve ever done. It was fun to watch,” said Rena Fauchon, who runs Aerial Athletics and helps with John Paul II. 

“Every time you go to a competition, you get papers back from the judges. Evaluations, so whatever corrections they suggest, we did those so that helped our score this time around.” 

Aerial Athletics sent three teams to the tournament. U8 Stardust, U12 Nova, and U16 Eclipse. While the U8 division didn’t have team’s place, the U8 Stardust team hit zero, which means they didn’t have any point deductions or missed elements and received an outstanding performance banner. 

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(Image Credit: submitted/Rena Fauchon)

The U16 team finished in third place, which Fauchon was ecstatic with for a young club.

“We are so proud of where we are at this point. Being two years in as a club, getting third place is amazing. They did awesome as well.” 

The remaining squad for Aerial Cheer Athletics, the U12 team finished in fifth place in their division. Just like John Paul II and the U8 team, they hit zero. Two of the three teams hitting zero and the other one finishing third was a huge boost of encouragement for the club.

“It’s good for everyone’s self-confidence. It was a good feeling for everyone who’s involved in the club,” Fauchon said. 

After sending just 14 athletes to the tournament last year, the club sent 33 this time around.  

“It was so awesome to have them all at the same competition because Stardust only goes to one. So, it’s great to have each team there sitting in front, cheering the other team on. It was a great feeling to have all the parents and the athletes there cheering for Ariel,” Fauchon said. “I’m really hoping that we have a few more athletes that join and we can maybe look at another team maybe happening (next year).” 

With the club growing increasingly, Fauchon mentioned they are starting up a recreational program in March.

“Those that just want to try it out and see how it is for five weeks in March, we’re starting that too. So hopefully that helps people to fall in love with cheer and want to be a part of our amazing club.” 

The next tournament for Aerial Cheer Athletics comes on March 6-7 at the Warman Cheer Classic. 

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Ryan.Lambert@pattisonmedia.com