Local cheerleading team, Spirit Cheer, recently competed in a national event and earned first place. In their division they were up against two other teams.

“…Our goal is always to be the top team of the day out of all the other teams,” said senior Marykate Brown.

The team started practicing for this competition all the way back in August for four hours a week. In order to be prepared, the coaches had the girls conditioning, including push ups, crunches, and running. On top of the conditioning, the girls must run their routine over and over again throughout practice.

Spirit Cheer is not affiliated with HCPS or NHHS, there is a variety of ages on the team. Some girls are seniors in high school and some are just entering middle school. The team had a party to bond where they made pillow cases and learned how to correctly do competition hair and makeup.

“We do not really talk about the age gap because it has been that way since Spirit Cheer began, said Brown.

Despite facing a few setbacks due to injuries leaving some cheerleaders unable to compete, the remaining members felt prepared.

“We raised over the challenge of changing a few things to compensate for the injuries,” said Brown.

Members of the squad said at the competitions it is really difficult to keep their eyes away from the other teams, but it is really important not to look so that focus is kept.

“It is better not to know what we are up against so we do not get nervous,” said Brown.

When the team got first place, everyone including the coaches, were really excited. The coaches have always been enthusiastic and were jumping and screaming along with the rest of the team, said Brown.

“The teams we went against were a little better than we expected so it was a close competition and we were all really happy that we won,” said Brown.

Other members of the team include seniors Haley Wernz, Taylor Stower, juniors Jessica Cerino, Rebecca Rhinehardt, Rachel Seman, Madison Riggio, sophomores Rhiannon Lietuvnikas, Jessica Webster and freshman Julia Cook.