For years, Edmond Memorial High School’s Bulldog cheerleaders have been bringing home incredible scores from their state contests, and this year was no different. At OSSAA State Cheerleading Regionals on Sept. 23, they earned 269.6 points, which brought them to third place and qualified them for state finals. There they scored 267.6 points, earning seventh place in the 6A division of OSSAA, which is the largest division in the state.
Assistant cheer coach Carrie Ackerman has commented that state cheer competitions include elevated expectations. These expectations are set to match the level of skill required of the members of the varsity cheerleading squad, and with extra skill comes extra passion for the sport.
“[State competition] definitely raises the bar,” Ackerman said. “Being in the 6A state competition means that the competition is fierce, and there are a lot of teams that are really good. And so they definitely have to pull [it] together. They have to dig deep. Some of them have been learning new skills and kind of pushing themselves for the team and have been working outside of the time we’re practicing just for state cheer.”
The performances for state competitions compile a wide range of skills that each member of the team must master. The stunts often take extreme amounts of coordination among the team members, which is accompanied by the risk involved due to their nature. That risk is part of what makes state cheer so much more impressive.
“At times, [cheer] can be dangerous. They really have to focus and they really have to work together as a team just to protect each other and for everything to look great and for them to do their jobs,” Ackerman said. “It really takes a lot of discipline and focus just to keep everyone safe and to keep everyone happy and excited.”
State cheer competition encourages every skill learned during practice as well as the teamwork that emerges from the team’s stunts to shine. Former EMHS assistant cheer coach Bekah Joash has commented that cheer improves leadership among the team members.
“Going to contest really helps to benefit them in the teamwork because, in cheer especially, what you do personally matters for you but also the people that are in your stunt,” Joash said. “It’s really cool to see how they’re learning leadership skills and communication skills all while doing the sport that they love.”
While other students at EMHS were relaxing and enjoying their summer, the cheer team had already begun practicing in June. Since then, they have been practicing for hours every day to prepare for state.
“The benefit of [state cheer] is that there are long, long hours that you spend practicing, so the people that are on the state team are just so well connected with each other and just so united as a team,” Joash said.
Junior Layla James, a member of the varsity cheer team, has been doing competitive cheer since she was 6 years old. It is evident that the amount of work put in by the state team was extremely valuable to the morale of the team.
“The state team this year put in an unreal amount of work,” James said. “Each person would hold themselves accountable inside and outside of practice.”
As well as the work put in during practice, immense amounts of effort were put toward the actual performances as well. Even through any mistakes made, the Bulldog cheer team was able to pull through and put their best foot forward during competition.
“I feel like I gave it my all at state and I performed to the best of my ability,” James said. “Unfortunately, one of my stunts fell, but I know everyone in my group tried their absolute best and left it all on the mat.”
As state cheer has come to an end, there is no doubt about the teamwork, leadership and confidence skills instilled in each individual. Though state competition is over, cheer season is not, and this will allow them to continue to show off their skill and dedication throughout the rest of the season and in years to come.
Contact Emma Lynch at [email protected]
