Frisco ISD cheer teams competed last month at the 2026 UIL Spirit State Championships in Fort Worth, with five advancing to finals and one making history with a best-ever finish for Frisco ISD.
In Conference 5A Division I, Wakeland took second place — a District high result — and Reedy earned 15th, and Lone Star earned 19th. In Conference 5A Division II, Emerson finished in the top 10 at 8th place. Panther Creek placed 4th out of over 50 schools in Conference 4A Division I.
Wakeland varsity cheer coach Kristina Steinhauser said after last year’s seventh place finish, her team had one thing in mind: Being the first Frisco ISD school to medal.
“We conditioned and worked tirelessly beginning in June, and attended competitions and showoffs every month starting in November, learning something from each one,” she said. “I think that's what it took for us to medal — never stopping and always learning — and a whole lot of heart when they hit the mat.”
At Panther Creek, the cheer squad’s success all comes down to culture, said varsity coach Lexie Pittman.
“It truly comes down to how hard these girls worked and how badly they wanted it. Their drive was different — they weren’t waiting to be told to do more. They asked for it,” she said. “They wanted to start UIL practices in September, and they wanted to add 6 a.m. practices back in October because they were committed to being prepared, not just hoping for results. That level of buy-in, consistency and self-discipline is what separates teams. I’m proud of them because it wasn’t luck — it was earned.”
The UIL Spirit State Championships was first introduced to Texas in 2015, created to recognize cheerleaders for their work on the sidelines and for their talents and abilities.
Congratulations to all of Frisco ISD’s cheer teams on a fantastic showing at UIL!
- Rachel McReynolds