This year has been an exhilarating ride for the Cuero High School Cheerleaders as they made their mark at the UIL Spirit State Championships held at the Ft. Worth Convention Center. With spirited determination and skill, they reached the finals for the third time in school history, a remarkable accomplishment that showcases their commitment and talent.
The spirit competition is more than just a showcase of skills; it is an experience where teams put their heart and soul into their routines. The Ft. Worth Convention Center, offers a grand stage for the 2016 added UIL competition. With its energetic atmosphere, the convention center served as the perfect place for showcasing the talents of cheerleaders from across the state. This year, Cuero Cheer competed in three categories: band chant, fight song, and crowd leading.
Coach Rachel Brown stated “I’m immensely proud of how the team rose to the challenge. The pressure is high and it takes every single person on the squad to compete when it’s time.”
Each section required practice and perfect execution, with the squad delivering an impressive performance across the board. The competition was fierce, featuring 61 teams competing for the gold. After the qualifying round, the Cuero squad sat 8th in band chant, 7th in fight song, and 15th in crowd leading, moving them into the finals.
Senior Head Cheerleader Ella Jander commented “I could not be more proud of our team and the way we competed at the UIL Spirit State Championship. We worked so hard to get here and I think our hard work paid off. This team made Cuero history by being the first team to make it to finals in the arena and score the highest that any team from Cuero has scored in the qualifying round for the finals. Out of the 4 years I have competed, I have never seen a team be so excited and ready to compete. I think Cuero cheer is a team that other schools will have to worry about and I think the future of the program is bright.”
The competitive spirit was in the air as teams showcased their routines, executing stunts and cheers, and energizing the audience. Cuero’s squad performed with enthusiasm, engaging the audience throughout their performance, reaching 18th place out of 61 competitors in the final round. The competition reflects the hard work, teamwork, and dedication of these young ladies. Each cheerleader contributed to the overall success of the team, supporting one another. The bond brought a sense of unity to the squad.
Jander continued on to say, “I can’t leave out our Seniors. Our freshman year was the first year for Cuero Cheer to ever make it to the finals, and since then we have made it 3 times. I am so proud of our Seniors for being good role models and helping the younger girls out. I can’t believe this season is over, but I couldn’t have asked for a better team to end it with.”
