After winning state last year, this year’s competition cheer team is ready to dominate yet again. Starting in the winter, competition cheer is a lot different than the sideline cheer most people are familiar with.
Kiley Williams is a junior at Yamhill Carlton High school, and has been cheering for all three years. She says that she doesn’t have a specific position, but usually main base or back spot. This is the same for junior Claire Walton, who usually main bases.
“I love the environment. And also, stunting is my favorite,” Williams says.
“I love the adrenaline rush, like, right before you go on or right when you get off. You feel like you’re exploding with happiness, unless you do really bad and then you’re crying,” Walton explains.
This year, the team’s biggest rivals are expected to be Santiam Christian, who they had some issues with the year prior.
“Sideline is just cheers mainly, but competition is more about stunting and tumbling and your energy,” Williams says.
The season starts sometime in December. Their competitions can vary in distance, the closest last year being in Newberg. However, Nationals took place in Las Vegas.
Williams says that people should be interested in competition cheer because the team has a great bond.
“It’s more like family friends instead of a team.”
“I feel like it’s also just a new thing,” Walton adds. “It’s a team sport, but you also have to hit all of your motions, you have to hold your own portion of it. Also, we won state.”
The biggest difference between this year and last year is that they have lost two seniors.
“I’m feeling like we’re going into this year with the same mindset as we did last year,” Williams says.
Although the season is just starting out and the team has a lot to learn, there are hopes for it.
“We don’t have our routine yet, but I feel like after we get it we’ll feel better and we’ll feel excited,” Williams assures.
“I think that, yeah, once we get the choreo and we get the routine it’ll feel more put together,” Walton agrees.
It’s time for the state champions to come back strong this year, and they’re ready to compete for the title yet again.
