Cheer Squad Successful Once Again; Take Home Their Second 1st Place Award
The Cheer squad poses with the 1st place trophy after their victory.
February 19, 2019
Following great results in their last two competitions, the Coyotes cheer squad took the mat for the first time in the new year. This time, the cheerleaders found themselves at the Tampa Showdown held at Cypress Creek Middle/High School on Saturday, February 16th.
In the weeks leading up to the competition, some things had to be adjusted and tweaked, creating a new routine.
“Prep was interesting because as a group we came together a lot between last comp and this comp, revamping our whole routine, so it was our first time performing this routine,” says team captain Kassidy Thezan. “In practice, prior to the competition we were struggling with hitting stunts and timing, so everyone was nervous that things wouldn’t happen, or stunts would fall. Thankfully, they didn’t.”
The squad went head to head with 5 different schools from all around Florida and were set to go on at 3:10. The team managed to hit the majority of their stunts, and a mere two minutes later, walked off feeling satisfied with their performance.
“This helped us grow as a team for sure”, says freshman Justice Martinez. “We didn’t manage to get a perfect score but I couldn’t have asked for a better result, and the dedication showed that day.”
Awaiting awards, the team gathered on the mat, as the winners were announced. Finally, their division was announced, and the coyotes had managed to take home yet another first place victory.
“I felt relieved because we won first place, we had worked really hard and it wasn’t perfect, but we tried our best and in the end it paid off.” Said Kassidy.
Although the Coyotes brought home first place, head coach Jennifer Araujo has another goal set for this year.
“I am going to take back the judges critiques and increase the difficulty of my stunts in hopes to secure another banner,” said Araujo. “To take first place is one thing, but I really want a banner.”
A championship banner is given to the team who scores the all-around highest points in the competition, out of every school competing.
With that goal in mind, the coyotes will take their critiques and continue to work to be the best. 2019 will no doubt be a successful year for the cheerleading squad.
