As fall sports kick off, the cheer team is working harder than ever for their upcoming season. For the first time, the cheer team will be traveling to Florida to compete at UCA Nationals. They have been dedicating hours of time, perfecting their routine, aiming to come out on top. The cheer team will be competing in both traditional and game day this year.  Not only will they be competing in the nation’s biggest high school cheer competition, they also moved up divisions this season. They are ready for a difficult but fun year.
UCA is known as the largest and most prestigious high school cheerleading competition in the country, hosted by Walt Disney World. This event is over the course of three long days. Starting with prelims on day one, advancing to semi-finals on day two and if they qualify for day three, they will attend finals. After a stressful three days of competing, the team will go to Disney World to celebrate.
Taylor Tonniges, the cheerleading head coach, explained, “We decided to compete in Florida this year because there are more teams in Florida, which makes it harder competition.” She also noted, “It’s a better run competition, and it will help challenge our girls and help prepare them for college.” This competition gives the team a chance to showcase their talents and push them harder than they have been pushed before.
The cheer team must work extremely hard to get the skills that they need in order to place well in their new division. This year their routine is harder than ever. The coaches, athletes and choreographers must learn the new rules for their new division.  Not only is their tumbling and stunting harder than last year, they are also competing against hundreds of other athletes who are working just as hard. The cheerleaders practice four to five times per week both before and after school. The team must continue to improve as the competition season is approaching fast!
Maiah Maile, an FLHS junior, says, “Moving up divisions makes us step up by learning harder tumbling and perfecting our stunts.” Despite these challenges, she remains optimistic, adding,  “Even though it’s going to be more challenging, I think it will make us stronger as a team- as long as we work hard, stay positive, and push each other to succeed.”
This year the cheer team is competing two different routines: traditional and game day. It has been over three years since the cheer team has competed in both divisions. Traditional routines consist heavily of tumbling, stunting and sharp motions however, game day routines focus on showing school spirit through chants, cheers and the fight song. Balancing both of these routines will take extra hours and more determination than ever before.
Mika Yasuda, a FLHS senior, shared, “Balancing both game day and traditional takes a lot of time management skills and dedication. Balancing both teams is a lot of hard work mentally and physically from long choreo practice to hard conditioning.” Despite the challenges, Mika stays motivated to keep pushing through, “I know in the end, it will be worth it when I am on stage competing with all my friends in Florida,” The thought of competing together and showcasing all of their hard work will be worth it.
As the exciting season approaches, the cheer team is taking on new challenges, moving up to higher divisions and taking on a chance to compete on a national stage. Their dedication, passion and showmanship will help their routines to strive through to reach their goals. No matter the outcome, the cheerleaders should be so proud of how far they will have come by the end of this season.