While most students spent their last weekend of vacation in relaxation, the varsity and junior high cheer squads traveled to Bear Creek High School in Stockton for the USA Regional cheer competition, Jan. 9. The high school team placed first in their division for the High School Show Cheer-Intermidiate and the junior high placed second in their division for the Junior High Show Cheer-Novice.
As a result, both teams qualified for the USA Nationals, to be held in Anaheim, March 26-28.
Despite a two week rest from cheer, the squad, led by Robin Whitford, jumped back into rehearsals, preparing themselves for competition.
“It was difficult to return to a competition-ready state after a two week break,” senior Elizabeth Grossman said, “but after practicing for a week prior to the competition, we were ready.”
Whitford understood the risk of taking a break, but felt her girls deserved to rest after their hard work.
“Varsity took a two week break for Christmas,” Whitford said. “They needed the rest after an intense few months of practices and performances. As a coach, I could see the need for rest, but worried about the team loosing some of their conditioning right before we went to our qualifier for Nationals. We had five practices to prepare for the competition. The team worked hard all week and I knew on Friday that they were ready to give a solid performance.”
The performance was the first for the junior high girls, under the direction of Connie Beato. However, inexperience was not an issue, as, according to Grossman, they carried out a successful performance.
“We had been practicing all week with the junior high team, and it was their first competition,” Grossman said. “We watched them perform first, and they hit a perfect routine! It was very exciting to watch them accomplish what they worked so hard for, and it encouraged our team to hit a great routine as well. It was a great experience to be able to represent FC on the high school and junior high level.”
To attain their winning position, the squads made adjustments within their routines. The high school team beat out two other schools for the win.
“There were a handful of improvements we mainly focused on while practicing the week before. and those aspects all hit in the routine,” Grossman said. “It was very rewarding to see all our hard work pay off and be able to glorify God with it. While we still have stuff to work on, this competition was a great ‘checkpoint’ of sorts to see how much we’ve improved throughout the season already.”
The changes brought about obstacles and worries for some team members.
“I was really nervous for this competition because some of the stunts weren’t hitting the previous day and it was our qualifier for Nationals,” junior Sarah Ingersol said. “I was also nervous because we went to a different regional competition this year and we’ve never seen these schools before, so their routines were mysteries. We had no clue what stunts they would pull out, but we prayed before, not for a win, but to have fun and to hit what we’ve been working on so long.”
Whitford feels confidence after the team’s showing.
“The team did a great job and it was evident that they were having fun as they performed,” Whitford said. “The judges had great things to say about their routine and abilities. We definitely will not let up now; we have Clovis Pep Classic in three weeks and are looking towards Nationals in March. I am very proud of the team and all that they have accomplished so far.”
Junior Bree Ainley says she found spiritual meaning and blessings through her experience.
“I’m very excited to win first place once more. God has truly blessed us after a fourth place in the last competition,” Ainley said. “These past competitions have given me a whole new look on cheer, I’m finding that it means so much more than just first place, but just having fun and doing our very best for God and representing our school.”
Ainley anticipates the upcoming national competition as an opportunity for FC to shine.
“I’m so excited that we qualified for Nationals in Anaheim, we are going to go with our best and give it everything we have,” Ainley said. “We really want to represent our school well and help show that just because we’re a private school, it doesn’t mean we can’t strive for excellence and play with the big dogs.”
The next competition, Clovis Pep Classic, will be held at Clovis High, Jan. 30. For more information on the cheer team, visit the Dec. 2 article, Squad wins at JAMZ competition and the Dec. 18 article, Injury provides ministry opportunity. Or, e-mail coach Robin Whitford.
