CKHS Cheer took off to state at Battleground High School on February 2, 2024. Going to state competition is a big accomplishment for the CK cheer team.
This cheer season has been a challenging one, due to the CK cheer team receiving three new coaches, and adjusting to a new program. CK welcomes Amanda Fuller as the head coach, and Madison Keough and Minako Todd as the two assistant coaches. With the new coaching staff, there were big adjustments to the way the cheer program runs in ways such as new cheers, and new techniques.
Due to the hiring process of a new coach, tryouts got pushed back to June instead of March, causing the team to scramble to learn material quickly. However this did not stop the cheer team from showing out. They have been working hard and forming a routine since August.
They went to five competitions over the span of two months, qualifying for state at three competitions and placing 2nd at the last chance qualifier, which is the last competition of the season before state, it is the last chance for teams to qualify. This isn’t the first rodeo for many of the cheerleaders.
“I have been cheering for five years, cheering at CK for four,” said senior Eleeyse Greenlaw. “A cheer competition, especially the state championships, is really just a showcase with nothing to lose. All the best teams are there performing for the last time this season so win or lose it is just really fun to see everyone come together.”
One of the biggest moments at the event is the glow party before the awards are announced. During the glow party, the hundreds of cheerleaders and fans wearing glow sticks and light up accessories, jumping up and down singing as the gym lights get shut off. There is more beauty to competitions than just celebrations; there is beauty in the routines themselves, and witnessing the hard work that was put into each and every move on the floor.
“The beauty of a cheer competition isn’t just shown through all the pretty uniforms, make up, and hair, but is also shown through the music and routine each and every team puts out onto the mat,” said sophomore Trinity Ranes. “A routine is not only where each girl or boy can show their amazing endless abilities and make each move their own, but it is also where each team can show how hard they have worked and the passion they each share for cheer.”
Each team gets a limited performance time on the mat, to show off skills that teams have worked on for months.
“Competition cheer is amazing because you only have 2 minutes and 30 seconds to fight for something you’ve been working hard for every day for months,” said freshman Lola Prouse.
For four of the competition cheerleaders, this was the last hoorah before they leave for college, making this whole experience even more special.
“This season for me felt like it ended when I stepped back from the competition team due to my crazy busy schedule, then my coach texted me and asked if I would compete at state with the team due to an injury to another athlete,” said Greenlaw. “I got a second chance to make some more memories with the team before I leave for college.”
