Richmond Hill — The South Effingham  Middle School Mustang cheerleaders sure know how to start the season off right.  

In their first cheerleading competition, the girls finished in first place in the middle school division of the Coastal Classic Cheerleading Competition hosted by Richmond Hill High School on Saturday. This is the first year the SEMS cheer squad has chosen to be a competitive squad and this was their first competition.  

Under the direction of Ursula Pelote and Dana Moore, the girls have been working since mid-June on a routine that included dancing, cheering, tumbling and two- and four-person lifts. The team finished in first place in the five-team competition.

Southeast Bulloch Middle School was second and Effingham County Middle School placed third.  

Their next competition will be Oct. 7 in Vidalia.