Pressure’s on. Sophomore Esmeralda Garrido feels the weight of the importance of the state competition as she cheers on the mat. “I was just so anxious thinking about all the people that were watching us,” Garrido said. “But once we were actually performing, I got a rush of adrenaline.”
Big finish. Team captain Mary Noblitt leaves everything on the mat as she strikes her final pose during their state performance in Topeka on Nov. 22.
“I am super proud of the hard work every girl put on the mat during the months of preparation and during the final performance,” Noblitt said. “Every single girl has something amazing to add to our team this year, which is what makes it so special.”
Strong bonds. Team captain Liza Martinez focuses on smiling and hitting her marks while performing one last time at the state competition. “What’s been different this year has definitely been just like the bond of the team overall, we are all a lot closer,” Martinez said. “I love getting to cheer with some of my best friends.”
Loud and proud. Senior Tabatha Stockton runs onto the mat excited to show her spirit in the state performance. “What I love about cheer is all the friendships I have made along the way these past 4 years,” Stockton said. “Cheer has taught me teamwork, discipline, commitment and that the small things matter.”
Poms up. Junior Isabella Lipari feels the surrealness of her final performance as she cheers in the state competition. “We had been practicing the routine so much and it was finally time to show it off,” Lipari said. “I was ready, and excited to perform.”
