Varsity cheer takes 3rd at Nationals

March 28, 2010

UPDATE: On the first day of USA Nationals, the cheer squad qualified for the finals with a second place finish out of 27 teams.

But on March 28, the team competed again for a Nationals championship, and placed third, after Brea Olinda and Clovis West High School. The girls narrowly beat a local team, Buchanan High School, who finished fourth.

According to team members, the first performance was near perfect; however, the second time around was sloppier.

Their routine still secured them the 3rd-place finish in the high school Medium Varsity Show Cheer Intermediate division, in which they placed 9th last year.

A full-length article, as well as photo slideshow, will follow this update after the conclusion of spring break.

After performing at several competitions throughout the year, the varsity cheer squad will travel to Anaheim for cheer Nationals, March 26-28.

The group will participate in the United Spirit Association (USA) Nationals, in the medium show cheer intermediate division including several squads from across the country, as well as local rivals Clovis West and Buchanan high schools. They qualified for the event at USA Regionals in Stockton, Jan. 9.

The team will travel up individually March 26, and compete in the morning of the 27th in the Anaheim Convention Center. If they qualify, they will perform again the following day. Regardless, many team members will cap the trip with a visit to Disneyland.

Nationals are the finale to the year-long cheer season, and act as a last chance for the team to showcase their hard work.

“Nationals are important because they show how good of a team we are based on teams from all over the country – not just nearby,” freshman Rachel Quiring said. “We know all the teams in the Valley, but it brings new perspective when they’re from all over.”

After performing well at several competitions, including a first-place finish at Clovis Pep, the team hopes to top their previous success.

“Nationals are exciting because they’re full of adrenaline and it’s so big,” Quiring said. “A lot of people who have never heard of you get to watch you perform, and you get to prove yourself to them.”

For more information, check back for a full-length results article and slideshow. Or, e-mail coach Robin Whitford.

For more stories about cheer events, read the Dec. 2, 2009 article, Squad wins at JAMZ competition or the Jan. 11 article, Squad tops USA Regionals.