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Sperry Coed Cheer Team Competed in State Competition for 3rd Straight Year
Sperry Coed Cheer Team Competed at State for 3rd Straight Year
Before they appeared before Sperry’s crowds of fans, Sperry Coed Cheer spent long hours of the summer months preparing for both inspiring local fans and competing in statewide competitions. On September 19, they attended the OSSAA Small Coed Regional Cheer competition held at Union High School. For the third year in a row, the Sperry High School Coed Cheer team qualified for the OSSAA Small School Coed State Championship Competition Saturday, September 26, at Gallagher Iba Arena on the campus of Oklahoma State University.
To qualify for the honor of competing at the OSSAA State Competition, a team is required to score high enough in categories including crowd involvement, stunt technique and safety, tumbling competence, and overall effectiveness. SHS Cheer exceeded these expectations and earned a score above the required average to qualify. For two seniors, Mikayla McCarty and Kerstin Richardson, this year’s attendance at the OSSAA State Competition was their third year to participate. Their leadership and athletic abilities allowed the team to rise above obstacles and injuries in order to reach team goals. Mikayla said, “I am thrilled to have had the opportunity to compete at the State competitions with Sperry Cheer for the third year in a row. We overcame obstacles and injuries, but we worked hard and reached our goal of making it to State!” Kerstin added, “Sperry Cheer has come a long way since my freshman year in high school, and we have worked hard to get where we are. I am very blessed to be with this team for my last year of cheer.”
The male members of the team put extra effort into their activity participation since they had to double as football players during Friday night games, and then joined the rest of the cheerleaders on Saturday afternoon for the regional and state competitions. Senior Garret Jobe competed in his second OSSAA State Cheer competition, and senior Brandon Weldon participated for the first time this year. Garrett stated, “Before I became a cheerleader, I really didn’t believe that it was a sport, but I was mistaken. It’s hard work; it takes a lot of strength, time, and energy; plus, you have to have a good memory. This was my second time to go to State, and I was more nervous than I was last year because this time I knew what was in store. I gave this competition all my effort, just like I would for any other sport. We worked hard and put in a lot of hours for this chance.” Brandon agreed, “Cheerleading is one sport that I am glad I joined before I graduated. It has been one of my greatest experiences, and I was proud to have had the chance to compete at State.”
Sperry High School Cheer coach, Amy Wolf, said, “Each year the team improves and represents Sperry Athletics with passion and skill. I am so proud of my athletes. They worked and practiced for the past five months for the opportunity to represent Sperry at the highest competition in the state, and their efforts paid off.”
Superintendent Dr. Brian Beagles noted, “Twelve teams competed at the State Coed Cheerleading competition, and Sperry High School was well represented. Three years in a row now, the team has worked to earn the right to compete at this high level.”
