What a year it’s been for the Bingham Miners cheerleading squad. 

February of 2025 saw the Miners win a national title in the large school varsity first division. 

Under the shadow of Mickey, the Bingham cheerleaders proved they were best in the nation in Orlando, Florida, at Walt Disney World. 

At the Region 2 Championships, the Miners also won the title. 

At the state championships, however, Bingham showed it was national champions for a reason. The state title also handed Amber Thomas, Miners head coach, her first state title in three years. The two previous years rival Corner Canyon nabbed championship trophy. 

Going into the new school year, the Miners had a lot to live up to, in order to match the output of last year’s team. 

Their journey began in October when even during a rainstorm at a home football game, the Miners were ready to stun. 

“We came to play even with the rain delay!” exclaimed Thomas. “Thanks for stunning with us Copper Hills!” 

By November, the Miners cheer team took their game indoors, and on Nov. 21, Bingham was working on stunts at The Pit during halftime of a boys basketball game, preparing for competition. 

They practiced with the cheer team from nearby Mountain Ridge High, along with Copper Hills. 

By early December, it was time for competition week for this Bingham cheer team. 

On Friday Dec. 5, the Miners competed at the Winter Classic—and won first place. 

It was the first win of the season for Bingham’s cheer team, a time during which the Miners completed six routines. 

“We are so proud of them for showing up and putting on a show,” said Thomas. “Thank you to everyone who supported us this weekend.” 

For a cheer team that numbers nearly 50 kids and consists of JV and varsity squads, respectively, and started back on June 9, it was a great start to the new school year. 

There is surely more to come for these Miners, including more meets now that competitions have officially started, along with a return trip to Walt Disney World to defend Bingham’s national title. 

After that, it’ll be time for Regionals to defend that trophy and then, an opportunity to defend yet another title at the state championships. 

Three Bingham girls volleyball players earn All-State awards 

For Lexie Carlson, making another All-State team is just icing on the cake. The senior outside hitter and Weber State commit was named to the Deseret News 6A second team after a season in which she had 202 kills and a .274 hitting percentage. 

Two other Lady Miners were named honorable mention: senior right setter Sara Hawes and junior outside hitter Nicalee Nordahl. Hawes had numbers that were near Carlson’s; her 188 kills and .330 hitting percentage were impressive on a team that went 16-8 and 9-3 in Region 2 play, and advanced to the 6A state quarterfinals. 

As for Nordahl, the junior may have had the biggest jump of anyone on the Lady Miners. She hit 155 kills in 430 attempts, serving notice that her senior season may be even more spectacular. 

All three were playing under a new head coach in Kendzee Cloward, a Bingham alum.