As OH Varsity Cheer wrapped up their fall sideline season, they recently transitioned into the start of their competitive season. The team has already achieved a great amount of success in their journey, which extends from December to February.
“So far this season, we have attended multiple competitions. This past weekend, we just placed second in the SPC Conference! We have also taken first, second, and sixth place at other competitions,” said senior Lauren Sullivan.
Varsity cheer has been working hard with practices almost every day, contributing to a busy schedule. However, members continue to display confidence and pride in their team.
“Typically we practice three [to] four times a week in the fieldhouse, but we also spend some time in the classroom to go over the score sheet and past routines,” said senior Summer Whittaker.
Practices not only consist of going over the routine, but they also focus on cleaning and improving on what they already know. This can take time, but has proven to be more than successful.
“We spend hours perfecting our skills, motions, and technique. On top of that, we also run multiple full-out routines to get us ready to compete them on the mat,” said Sullivan.
Before showing off their routine at a competition, the team starts off warming up and getting both mentally and physically prepared to perform. The warm-up process is a vital step for every competition.
“The first thing we do as a team is meditate and visualize the routine. After that, we head to warm-ups, which has a strict time limit, about 20 minutes. After warm-ups we wait in a back hallway or room for a bit before we perform, this is the time where nerves are at an all-time high,” said Whittaker.
Members of the team are pushed to their limits as they must contribute a high work ethic and dedication throughout both of their seasons. At competitions, they must demonstrate their talents through a three-minute-long routine in front of judges and an exhilarated audience.
“On the mat everything goes silent and you have three minutes to put all the hard work you have done on the mat. We’re all a big family and it shows while we compete,” said senior Ava Smith.
The team has a chance to qualify for State, which they attended last season and had both an unexpected and impressive sixth-place finish.
“We compete seven times this season and if we place top five at our sectionals then we make it to state,” said Smith.
Spending time with the team during both practices and competitions gives teammates the opportunity to bond and build amazing connections with each other.
“My favorite part about competing with my team would have to be the relationships I have made along the way. We have put in so much time and effort into performing our three-minute-long routine, and it is so rewarding to do it with this group of people,” said Sullivan.
Hi, my name is Allison and this is my first year in Digital Journalism. I am in multiple clubs such as BIONIC, Commotion, and multiple different honor societies! I am so excited to be a new member on the 42Fifty team.
I love cheer almost as much as a love this article