Briar Woods High School’s competition cheer team members moved toward the performance mat at the AA Dulles District meet with a bounce to their step and a confident look in their eyes.

The Falcons - two-time defending Dulles District, Region II and Virginia AA champions - were ready to perform in front of their enthusiastic home crowd that filled two sections of the stands Oct. 19 in Ashburn. 

The result was another championship performance as Briar Woods delivered an energetic, nearly flawless routine that earned scores of 80 or better from all five judges.

“I think part of winning is a mentality and an aura that you carry,” Falcons coach Kristen Develli said. “We’ve been fortunate enough to have that for the last three years.”

Briar Woods totaled 244.5 points - 24 points ahead of runner-up Loudoun County - to claim its third consecutive Dulles District meet title. The Falcons were also regular-season district champions this fall.

“They just love to perform, they are performers,” Develli said of her team. “And we had a great crowd, we had great support from our fans and from our students. It can’t get any better than that. They did a terrific job. I’m very, very pleased.”

Loudoun County placed second with 220.5 points, followed by Dominion (206) in third place and Woodgrove (195) in fourth. All three teams, along with Briar Woods, advance to the Region II meet, set for Nov. 5 at Powhatan High School near Richmond. 

Woodgrove - a second-year school in Purcellville - earned its region bid by a half-point over fifth-place Tuscarora (194.5). Potomac Falls (186) placed sixth, Heritage (185) finished seventh, Loudoun Valley (175.5) was eighth and Park View (147.5) rounded out the nine-team field. 

How team scores are compiled

Five judges rate each team’s performance. The highest and lowest score for each team is dropped before the three middle scores are added for a subtotal. You then subtract any safety deductions from the subtotal for the final score.

Team Standings

Briar Woods (244.5)
Loudoun County (220.5)
Dominion (206)
Woodgrove (195)
Tuscarora (194.5)
Potomac Falls (186)
Heritage (185)
Loudoun Valley (175.5)
Park View (147.5)