Gallery • 7 Photos

Meredith Jolitz

Junior Hannah Walden hits a right punch motion during the cheerleading state competition, on Nov. 23.

After earning two “superior” ratings (the highest possible rating), in their previous two competitions leading up to the Game Day Spirit Showcase, the Husky cheer team used the momentum to win their first ever 6A state championship.

Qualifying for the finals with a preliminary round best 198.667, senior captain Campbell Newby said she knew the smallest of mistakes would be costly.

“I was very nervous, the scores are typically pretty close so team’s normally win or lose by a third of a point,” Newby said. “It really comes down to the little things and thats all we’ve been working on for the past couple of weeks.”

After winning her first state title, head coach Madison Llewellyn said the team was able to kick it up a notch once they realized their potential.

“They have a focus that I’m not sure any of the teams I’ve been a part of has had,” Llewellyn said. “They were really coasting, then they hit this point where they realized giving minimal effort wasn’t going to win them a title and they hit this next level and were pretty much unstoppable from there.”

After placing seventh at the 2018 competition, Newby said the hard work the team put in, was the reason they were able to make the jump and win.

“It obviously feels amazing but its way more worth it when you’ve worked so hard for it,” Newby said. “Coming from seventh place last year and then making it to first was a huge step and I think that made it so much more worthwhile.”

After winning the school’s first state championship for cheer, Newby said she feels the program will be competing for many more state championships in the near future, despite losing a lot of seniors.

“I have faith in all the underclassmen and I’m sad I won’t be here for anymore wins,” Newby said. “But coming back will be super fun with my sister on the team and the leaders who’ve stepped up this year are gonna do great once we leave.”