CLAY-BATTELLE CHEERLEADING
nikkiMATTINGLY head coach | fourth season Clay-Battelle High School | 2000 Fairmont State University | 2004
Nikki Mattingly’s phone wouldn’t stop ringing. Her Clay-Battelle Cheerleading squad just finished its routine at the West Virginia Class-A Championship and the response to their performance was unlike none other.
One night earlier, Mattingly and her Cee-Bee squad wasn’t even sure if it’d be able to compete due to an injury. Disappointed and uncomfortable about where the team stood entering the competition, Mattingly said the squad approached it with a “just glad to be here” attitude. After the Cee-Bees performed, they forgot that attitude completely. “(Fans, parents and supporters) kept telling me through text messages that we had it,” she said. “They went out there and performed an almost flawless routine and I was just stunned. Not that I didn’t think they could do it, but they overcame so much adversity.” The result: Clay-Battelle’s third state championship in the last four years. The CeeBees responded by “literally toppling” onto the floor to claim their trophy, which they won over Wheeling Central and Gilbert. After a disappointing second-place finish in 2008, the Cee-Bees had regained their dynasty. “We didn’t talk about being runners-up the year before, but in the back of everyone’s minds, we knew we didn’t want to be in that position again,” Mattingly said.
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“We wanted it back.” It wasn’t just the Cee-Bees’ performance on the court that made Mattingly proud. The squad also raised over $1,000 in donations to “Bonnie’s Bus” – a mobile mammogram machine through West Virginia University Hospitals – as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. “The girls and I talked about how we could repay our community. They’re always so good to us, so we wanted to give back,” she said. “The girls were so excited to do this. We think that the pink definitely got a great response from the community and we can’t wait to do it again. This year will be no different.” At the squad’s annual cheer banquet, the Cee-Bees received one more honor when Clay-Battelle Athletic Boosters President Heath Owens presented the team with its own championship banner which now hangs for the ceiling of the Cee-Bee gym. “The banner represents the many cheerleadrs who have been a part of this cheerleading dynasty,” Mattingly said. “The importance of receiving that banner was the hard work and recognition involved in it. It’s so nice to have the program acknowledged and have something for all to see.”
THREE CROWNS AND COUNTING
To some, it may seem state championships come easy to Mattingly. After claiming the title in 1996 as a high school freshman at Clay-Battelle High School, Mattingly returned as the head coach in 2007, only to win the championship once again, and be named West Virginia Coach of the Year in the process. The humble Mattingly gives little credit to herself, however, as there has been one similar factor in all three of her championship titles. “A program is only as successful as the athletes and supporters make it,” Mattingly said. “Clay-Battelle cheerleading has always had a strong, dedicated foundation and wonderful parents to support these girls in whatever they do. That’s why it has
HEAD COACH NIKKI MAT TINGLY