Over spring break, the cheer program had immense success at the national competition. Placing 9th  in the west coast out of more than 25 teams. Teams came from states such as California and Nevada.

In order to get to nationals in the first place, teams must score at a certain level at  regionals in order to qualify. “This year cheer qualified and placed second at the Arizona regionals which is what earned them their bid to nationals in the first place,” head cheer coach Desiree Stinnett said.

A major factor leading to the success of the team is the ability to work together. “There is not a moment you don’t have all your teammates there to motivate and support you,” cheerleader Madison Henkel said.

The team put in extra hours for practice in order to prepare for the competition, practicing six extra days over break in order to prepare. “It was all about making the routine as clean and technically perfect as possible.”

The ability to not fold under pressure has assisted the team throughout preliminary competitions and the national competitions. “This team in particular  has been so mentally strong even in the face of adversity, which has 100% been the biggest factor contributing to their success.”

The success of the cheer team will propel them forward in the future. “[The success] definitely puts the pressure on for the teams in years to come to not only reach the same level of success.”

Additional success will not be without additional work out in. Henkel said, ”moving forward we have to work even harder to continue improving for next year.”