By DEB BENTLY
Staff Writer
“It’s great to see these athletes achieving success,” says Joni Churchill, one of four coaches for NRHEG’s competitive cheerleading team. “They’ve given their all, and it’s brought them recognition.”
The 15-member team won its third straight state championship on January 28, and will be taking part in a national competition in Orlando on Feb. 10. The state title, however, is not what opened the pathway for their trip to the Sunshine State. That happened last October during a qualifying event held in Minnetonka. Team members have been preparing ever since.
Along with practicing and perfecting their routine, the girls have been raising money to meet the expenses of the trip–about $27,000 total. Their efforts have ranged from selling typical staples like pizza to soliciting donations. As of last week, only about $1,000 remained to be raised. “The community has been awesome,” comments Churchill. “We’re so grateful for their support.”
Regarding the routine which has brought them so much success, Churchill explains it has been a work in progress since it was first devised by professional choreographers early last summer. Practices began around July 4 and were focused on intently throughout the summer. “It’s when we have the most access to the gym,” she points out. Also important to developing the needed teamwork and skill is a three-day “camp” held during the summer in Wisconsin.
As practices and skills evolve, Churchill says, so does the routine. “We incorporate more–and more difficult–moves,” she says.
Competitions are held yearround, with some events acting as helpful indicators of how high –both literally and figuratively – the competition is climbing. NRHEG’s team took part in seven competitions this past season beginning in mid-October. Team performances are ranked on a variety of elements, most easily described as, the more demanding the moves and the better executed they are, the higher the score.
Churchill says one of the team’s greatest advantages is the coordination and strength they bring to stunts. “We have some very demanding elements in our routine,” she says. “The next level up in difficulty are moves used in division 1 college competitions.”
One of the greatest challenges, she says, is the level of pressure which rests on every performance. “We only have two minutes and thirty seconds to demonstrate our skill,” Churchill explains. “If we make a mistake or someone falls, we lose points, no matter how many times we’ve gotten it right in practice.
“We don’t have another quarter or another match to redeem ourselves.” Churchill says about 40 teams will be competing at the national contest. All groups will perform Friday morning; those whose scores are in the top half will compete again on Saturday. Half of Saturday’s competitors, about 11, will advance to finals on Sunday.
Team members are (seniors)
Wayne and Wilkenson, (juniors) Payton Bunn, Julia Churchill, Brenna Sommer, Isabel Stadheim and Malonna Wilson, (sophomore) Sierra Misgen, (freshmen) Madison Bogue and Kyera Eustice, and (eighth-graders) Ariel Anhalt, Autumn Baseman, Olivia Berg, Addison Buenger and Orianna Degen.
The competition will be live streamed beginning at 9:55 Minnesota time on Friday. Since up to six groups will be performing at a time, fans need to know that NRHEG will be in the AdventHealth Arena South (Red). The link is https://tv.varsity.com/events/797636 3-2023-uca-national-high-schoolcheerleading-championship.