Once again, Southern Lehigh’s own competition cheerleading squad qualified to compete at the most prestigious competition, the National High School Cheerleading Championship in Orlando, Florida.
The squad started their season off with practices starting in early July. Although their first competition was not until late October, early preparations were necessary.
It takes three months for the squad to prepare and perfect a routine before they take the mat at the first competition.
This year, the squad made the bold decision to change from a large squad to a medium squad. This means they went from 20 girls and five groups down to 16 girls and four groups.
The girls started off their season by placing first in the Colonial League.
The following week, the team traveled to Toms River, New Jersey, for their shot at qualifying for nationals. With a solid routine, the ladies came in first with an automatic bid to nationals.
“Qualifying was the first step,” head cheerleading coach Colleen Iannetta said. “From there on, it was crunch time.”
The months leading up to nationals were filled with workouts, sweat, and bonding to better the squad as a whole.
Two weeks prior to nationals, the team placed second in districts and fourth in the inaugural PIAA cheerleading state championship.
“We were really excited to be able to qualify for the first-ever state cheerleading competition,” captain Meghan Sunners said. “It was a lot of hard work, but in the end it paid off.”
Finally, nationals arrived. Upon landing in Disney World, practices started immediately.
“It got pretty intense with the heat and being surrounded by millions of other girls working just as hard as you towards the same goal,” junior cheerleader Haley Ringenary said.
The team performed in the first round early Saturday morning and nailed a flawless routine. This earned them the opportunity to compete in finals for the first time in Southern Lehigh history.
“Being able to compete in finals with such a great group of girls was everything and anything I could ask for,” sophomore Emily Bowman said on her first time to finals, and nationals.
The following day, the ladies stepped onto the finals mat for the last time in the season. Their routine, difficulty, and passion landed them fifth in the nation, even with sophomore Julie Williston severely injuring her shoulder halfway through the routine.
“Getting injured in the middle of the the routine was heartbreaking,” Williston said, “but I would be even more heartbroken if i had let my team down.”
After five months, six first place competitions, and the first time ever to compete in the final round at nationals, the ladies of the competition cheer squad ended their season on the highest note yet.
