The FC cheer team has had a long history of winning performances at nationals. With four state championships under their belt, there are high stakes for the cheerleaders to live up to. The varsity cheer team performs on the second weekend of February for the UCA National High School Cheerleading Championship.
The team’s main goal for the upcoming nationals competition is to make it to the finals for both of their routines and leave the stage feeling confident. With this competition fast approaching, there are many ways that the cheerleaders are working to ensure that they are prepared.
“We’ve been having a lot of practices and working on different parts of our routine and hitting them a lot,” said freshman Ada Seng.
Leading up to nationals, the team has stayed dedicated to their goal of making it to the finals.
“We’ve been doing full outs, and then we do sections so we can hit every section. Then, we worry about just tumbling or stunts, and then we focus on the main points like spacing and timing so we can get all of our execution,” said senior Keri Mabon.
Being a senior on a team like this requires a different level of leadership. Strong senior influence works to create a strong bond between the older and younger girls on the team.
“Basically the seniors figure out what we’re wearing for games, how our hair looks, and any ideas for routines. The underclassmen come to you for literally everything, because they’re new to everything. So it’s just kind of an opportunity to lead them into the path where I was led,” said Mabon.
The work that the cheerleaders have been doing this season to ensure a stellar performance at nationals has not gone unnoticed by coach Andrea Rodgers.
“This team is hungry. They have been through a lot, but they know what they want so they do a really good job of staying motivated. They are always asking for extra time in the cheer room to work on things,” said Rodgers.
While it is important for the cheerleaders to work on the mat to make sure their routine is ready for nationals, it is also important for the team to have a strong bond off of the mat in order to ensure the team feels prepared.
“We all go out, we had a Christmas party, and then we’ll go out to eat and stuff,” said sophomore Grace Bretthauer.
Team bonding doesn’t always have to be school-organized when you have friends on the team. Team bonding can just be hanging out with each other outside of practice.
“I think [team bonding is] just hanging out with my friends outside of cheer,” said freshman Willow Love.
The basketball season has also been a key factor in strengthening the team as the countdown to nationals ticks closer.
“Since we have so many games before we leave for nationals, we usually have practice then we hang out for a couple hours after our practice to get ready as a team for the game,” said Mabon.
This bonding creates a strong and unified team, which helps them all work as a unit.
“They are all on the same team, fighting for and wanting the same thing. Stress means they care. Shift that stress and use it as energy to keep pushing until that goal is accomplished,” said coach Chelsey Davis.
The work that the cheerleaders have been doing this season is what has pushed them into the directions of Nationals.
“It is so rewarding to look back and see the growth and grit that they have developed. Both routines that we are competing at Nationals have changed multiple times and they have handled the challenges head-on. They have worked so hard for this and we are so proud,” said Davis.