A last minute change in the routine appeared to cost the cheer squad first place in the Clovis Pep Classic at Clovis High on Jan. 27.

?We were very disappointed at the routine that we performed,” Whitney Stipe, ’08, said. “We hit the routine perfect on the practice mat and the opening was good. However, we made some changes and that is where we messed up. During our one-legged stunt we came down at the wrong time and that set the timing off for the rest of the routine.?

Although the team was disappointed with their fourth place, they hope to improve enough to place first or second in their next competition at the FCC West Coast Championships at the Anaheim Arena on Feb. 10. JV is set to perform at 12:30 P.M. and varsity at 1:25 P.M. The awards ceremony will be at 2:10 P.M.

?I changed the routine to make it harder so that the girls could place higher,? coach Katie Mendenhall said. ?It wasn?t a good representation of the girls? abilities. My hope is that the girls? will be able to perform at the best of their abilities in all of their competition. The team goal for our next competition is to place first or second.?

The squad plans to improve their unity to enhance their performance.

?In our next competition I think we need to work more together as a team,? Heather Neel, ?07, said. ?My hopes for the next competition are to hit a clean routine as best as we can and to beat our long standing rivals, Whittier Christian.?

After the FCC West Coast Championships, the campus squad will also compete in the Clovis West Showcase on March 10.

For more information on cheer, check out Suzanna Quiring’s Jan. 16, article, Cheer places 7th at Nationals.