Cheer, Song compete at USA Nationals
by ERIC GUZMAN
Concluding their season, cheer and song teams competed at the United Spirit Association National Championships at the Anaheim Convention Center March 20-22.
JV Cheer placed 13th in its division while the entire team took second place in the Time Out Cheer Competition. Having competed at the novice level for the past 14 years, this was the first year in which Varsity Cheer competed at the intermediate level.
“We competed against teams we have never faced before,” said Tanya Borba, cheer and song adviser. “It was a learning experience, and now we know what is expected of us.”
Semifinals began on March 20 during which Song and JV Cheer performed their routine. Varsity Cheer competed on March 21. Neither team was able to advance to the finals March 22.
“It wasn’t what we expected, but we live and we learn,” said junior Hannah Kawai, JV Cheer co-captain. “We gave it our all, and next year, we are going to work even harder so that we can stay competitive.”
In order to qualify for Nationals, the teams must first receive a score of at least 80 points during a regional competition.
During Nationals, Cheer and Song have only two minutes to perform their routines. Cheer routines consist of dance, tumbling and flips, while song routines involve only dance. In the Time Out Cheer Competition, the entire squad has one minute to perform a routine that would typically be showcased during halftime at a sporting event.
The teams have been practicing since September to perfect their routines.
Cheer and Song will have tryouts for next year’s season on April 18 in the small gym. Tryout practices will be held April 15-17 from 3:30-5:30 pm. A parent information meeting will be held April 1 at 6 p.m. in the small gym.