The Ballard High School cheerleading coach is being recognized as one of the best coaches in the country. Nancy Ellen Elster is one of three recipients of the Pinnacle Award, which honors the best cheer coaches in the nation. The selection committee sifted through 65 total applications and based their selection on her achievements over the last 12 months, size and scope of coaching responsibilities and accomplishments during her entire coaching career. The Oak Harbor cheer coach was also a winner as well as a coach in Kentucky. Nancy Ellen made headlines last year as the cheer squad rallied around her as she battled breast cancer. Nancy Ellen will be honored at the 2009 National CheerCon in North Carolina this coming May. Congratulations to Nancy Ellen for winning this prestigious award! (Photo courtesy Patrick Bennet Photography)

On the cheer beat, the Ballard High School cheer squad took third in state this past weekend. Video of the competition is here.