As their introduction to the Golden State Spirit Association (GSSA) Spirit 1 Championship Series, the super squad varsity cheerleaders will compete at the GSSA Spirit 1 Cheer and Dance Championships at the Sacramento Convention Center, Dec. 13.

The squad will participate in the Large Varsity Show division. The cheerleaders are scheduled to warm up at 9:15 a.m. and perform at 9:45.

Coach Katie Mendenhall looks forward to participating in the organization for the first time.

“Championships are always big, and it is important for us to do well because we are new to the organization,” Mendenhall said. “We do not have a reputation with them like we do with [the Fellowship of Christian Cheerleaders (FCC)]. “Before our focus was more on FCC, but I want them to do more secular competitions so they have more people to compete against.”

The championship, which marks the third in the squad’s 2008-09 calendar, will test the cheerleaders’ ability to execute their routine, Mendenhall said. She hopes the squad will meet her expectations in light of past achievements.

“I expect them to try their best to not drop any stunts,” Mendenhall said. “They have done really [well] about that in the past competitions.”

In accordance with their undefeated season thus far, the cheerleaders aim to triumph at the competition and extend their reputation to the GSSA community, sophomore Keonia Streeter said.

“Winning isn’t everything,” Streeter said. “I just want to show secular schools that God is working through our cheer squad and that we can be on top even though we are a Christian school.”

The contest follows Thanksgiving break, during which the super squad did not practice and many of the girls battled sickness, including the flu. According to junior Alyssa Boss, the period of inactivity taxed the cheerleaders’ endurance.

“It’s always very hard to come back from break, where we aren’t being active, then try to practice as hard as we did before,” Boss said. “We really just need to build up our stamina again so we do not get so tired while practicing.”

Despite the need for additional preparation, Streeter looks forward to performing in the competition with her team.

“The unity of our team at competitions is my favorite,” Streeter said. “We are all so connected with each other and we have so much fun together; we are like family.”

For the complete competition schedule, visit the cheer Web site. For more information on cheer, visit the Nov. 24 article, Cheer conquers FCC Capital Classic or e-mail Katie Mendenhall.