Cheerleaders hit ceiling at meet
The Lakeside Varsity Competition Cheerleaders fell short of tasting victory Feb. 5, after placing 13th at the state finals in Columbus.
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The competition cheerleading team at Lakeside High School go through their routines. The team won the 2005 Region 2 AAAA championship and worked hard to make it to the state contest, but they could not keep up the momentum when they met Georgia's top 16 teams in Columbus.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
"We scored high with our overall routine, but it was a 15-point reduction that got us," said Kelly Hardin, who has been coaching the team for five years. "It was a tight competition.
Competing against the top 16 teams in Georgia, Christa Burch, who has also helped coach the team for five years, said the squad worked extremely hard to make it to the state finals.
"We have improved on our jumps," Burch said, adding it was the squad's weakness before competition season. "They've done well with strengthening their tumbling, partner stunts and dancing."
But it's the hard work and commitment to practice countless hours every day since the school year began last August that make this 20-member squad and four alternates proud to hold the title as the 2005 Region 2 AAAA champs.
But their success didn't come overnight.
The girls attended cheer camp this past summer, where they learned creative routines with challenging tumble sequences and stunts. There would be sweat and aching joints, and some would even suffer broken bones. But Burch said the squad was willing to do whatever it took to remain No. 1.
"To be on this squad, it takes a lot of work. But this team is very versatile," she said, adding that the team were region champs during 2001 and 2002 and runner-up in 2003 before reclaiming the title in 2004.
Senior Bridget Gaughan, 17, who has cheered on the squad for three years, said she has enjoyed the team's many successes.
The competition cheerleading team at Lakeside High School go through their routines. The team won the 2005 Region 2 AAAA championship and worked hard to make it to the state contest, but they could not keep up the momentum when they met Georgia's top 16 teams in Columbus.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
"It's been fun," she said . "When I compete, I get a big rush performing a 2-minute routine."
Freshman Ashley Mawyer, 15, voiced similar thoughts.
"When we were at competition it was really nerve-racking, but once we got out there it was really fun," Ashley said about her first year cheering competitively.