DENVER - The work ethic from its two seniors were keys to Glenwood Springs' success on the cheerleading mat this year.

"They are two amazing kids," said co-coach Lynn Goluba of team captains Lyndsey Wesson and Kim Wilson, the only seniors on the Demons' 19-member competition squad. "Those are the type of kids that have built Glenwood Springs cheerleading. And we're very proud to have them."

Wesson and Wilson's previous competition experience at the Class 4A state cheerleading championship was utilized by Goluba and fellow coach Jody Jordan to mold the 2007-08 Demon cheerleaders into another strong unit.

How strong? Try third-best in Colorado.

It was a goal many felt this year's squad couldn't reach due to its newness to competitive cheerleading.

"These two seniors have gone through a lot this year," Goluba said. "They had to teach 10 new girls what (competition) was all about while maintaining their own strength and intensity. A lot of our success comes from those two girls."

Prior to last weekend's state championship Glenwood had achieved, at a regional event, the Demons received a bid to next March's National High School Cheerleading Championship in Orlando, Fla.

However, state has always been Glenwood's big target.

Over the last seven years, the Demon cheerleaders have won three 4A titles.

Last year, they finished sixth. That low placing stuck with Wesson and Wilson heading into the current competition season.

"We had a lot to prove just because we ended sixth in the finals," Wilson said. "We knew we had to peak our skills at the right time. Today, we all felt we finally did that. There's nothing more we could ask for, it all paid off."

Wesson felt everything was going well from the start of the Demons' routine.

"Our very first stunt was a basket toss," she said. "That was the highest we've ever thrown it. That set a great tone for the whole routine. It kept our energy up."

That energy and a near flawless performance in the prelims earned Glenwood the highest score among the six teams who advanced to the 4A finals.

The Demons were equally good the next time out. But an improved performance by eventual 4A champ Mullen and runner-up Broomfield surpassed Glenwood's final score.

So what?

"We care that (the girls) do the best job tonight. And that's what we got," Jordan said. "We defiantly exceeded our goals this year," Goluba added.

With a young team led by two dedicated senior leaders.

"This year is the hardest routine we've ever done," Wesson said. "I think we really redeemed ourselves from last year."

Wilson knew the cheerleaders did their best after Goluba and Jordan met the squad after the routine was over.

"When your coaches have tears in their eyes, you know you've hit it."