Millbrook cheerleading
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Members of the Millbrook cheerleading squad celebrate following last week's performance at the seventh annual NCHSAA state invitational cheerleading competition championships. The Lady Wildcats recorded the highest cumulative score in the entire competition and won the event's top honor, the Carolina Cup.
Millbrook cheerleaders bring home Carolina Cup
Moments before the Millbrook varsity cheerleading team took the floor at last week's seventh annual NCHSAA state invitational cheerleading competition championships, head coach Kathryn Dyer was taken aback by how even-tempered her squad was.
Two months of practicing and perfecting their routine came down to their next two and a half minute performance, yet the Lady Wildcats were "hauntingly calm" beforehand, Dyer said. "In fact, I was a little worried by it."
But the squad hit the matted floor at the Raleigh Convention Center and didn't just shine, but nailed their performance, recording the highest cumulative score in the entire competition and winning the event's top honor, the Carolina Cup.
"Oh my goodness, I can't tell you how exciting it was," Dyer said of Millbrook's performance. "I knew if the girls hit their routine, we had a chance at winning our division. But to win the Carolina Cup —we went up against some really, really good teams — it is just a great honor."
The Wildcats prevailed using what Dyer called a "non-stop" routine, with the Lady Wildcats in perpetual motion the entire "two and a half crazy minutes."
The key, Dyer said, is that the squad must consistently push itself, but everything "has to remain tight and fluid at the same time."
"You are basically exerting your body past all limits during the routine," she said. "You really need to keep your energy up the whole time."
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The Millbrook cheerleading squad had plenty to smile about last week.
Several area high schools were honored at the championships as well, with Leesville Road winning the medium varsity division (13-16 members) and Sanderson taking fourth in the large varsity division (17-19 members). Millbrook took first in the super large varsity division (22-plus members).
"Raleigh, as a whole, really represented itself well. And I can't wait to see future competitions," said Dyer, who is in her second year as the varsity squad's coach.
This means that the Wake County Competition later this season should be ultra-competitive.
"Wake County are so talented, so winning that competition would be a huge honor," she said. "That is something everyone has their eyes on."
Although the Lady Wildcats have just one senior, the squad isn't inexperienced, featuring a stellar junior class of 17 girls.
Members of the Millbrook cheerleading team include Alex Crosslin, Brittany Fishel, Elizabeth Crump, Allison Grover, Kaitlyn White, Lauren Kangas, Ali Okrepky, Deanna Davis, Caitlinn LaScala, Nikki Maurakis, Haley Burton, Emily Niemic, Shannon Price, Ashlyn DeHart, Jasmine Boles, Sarah Ward, Shamir McCall, Brooke Mussler, Hannah Bergeson, Camille Collins, Shannon Renzulli, Shaunaci Cage, Lindsey Merlo and Libby Reiher.
Dyer expects her squad — as well as their competition — to improve as the season moves forward.
"This is a very early routine, and I know — like a lot of the other teams — we have a lot more to show," the coach said. "But it's just a matter of putting a routine on the floor, getting feedback and seeing how the judges respond."
So far the judges' response has been overwhelming favorable.
