It happens at the beginning of every winter spirit season; it doesn’t count in the final standings; participation is optional to prevent any early season injuries; and it allows other teams to see what you’ll bring to the state championship meet.

But, it’s the one competition Granite State cheerleaders look forward to most.

This year’s annual Kiwanis cheer competition once again drew teams from across the state. On Saturday, Jan. 20, hundreds of cheerleaders took over Southern New Hampshire University’s athletic complex.

Hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Manchester, the competition included 28 teams from Class L, I and M/S in front of a packed house.

While teams showed up with different music, routines and cheers, all could agree on the one thing that sets Kiwanis apart from any other cheer competition.

“The kids love it because it’s under the lights,” said Blue Knights head coach Sherri Reinfurt. “We always love coming here because it sets the bar for what we can expect the rest of the year. The lights make it more focal on the girls, and they love that.”

The Blue Knights looked exactly like the superstars Reinfurt said the lights made them feel like as they took second place, behind Salem, in the Class L division with 162.5 points.

It was the first time West placed in the top three since a third-place finish in 1998.

And while Reinfurt described Kiwanis as a more jovial competition, she still didn’t let up on her No. 1 rule: her girls can’t watch any Class L performances before their own.

Despite Reinfurt’s rule, which some Blue Knights admitted they try to break, senior captains Hayley McDonough and Meghan Spenard, both of Bedford, said the lights put the team at ease.

“The lights are awesome. They make you feel like the most important team out there,” said McDonough. “You’re also less intimidated because you can’t see everyone, but you want to do well because you know they can all see you.”

“Performing in the dark is the coolest thing about this competition,” added Spenard. “It’s different from states, which is all impersonal, and the lights are on, and people are scattered in the arena. This feels like the shows you see on TV where the pros compete.”

West competed before one other Class L team, Goffstown, and Spenard said following Reinfurt’s rule helped the team stay composed before its own performance.

“I don’t like the rule, but it helps,” said Spenard. “I wish we could watch the other teams go, but this way at least we’re not overconfident or intimidated after seeing them.”