Varsity Cheer

Varsity Cheer

April 8th, 2018 by Hannah Worden

Sandy Creeks cheer team includes Madison Yerdon, Abby Larue, Rosie Walter (Captain),
Alyssa Smith (Captain), Madeleine Palmer, Alexis Miley, Cassidy Carnes, Olivia Pappa,
Madison Benedict, and Vanessa Fox. They had a tough year with a majority of the team facing various illnesses. However, most of the team said that even with the quick changes, they still came out on top; winning Sectionals and going on to states. When interviewed, Captain Rosie Walter stated, about her experiences in this cheer season "What was important that I learned was definitely perseverance. If one person misses a practice, everything can get messed up and we have to switch our routine, which becomes a struggle." When asked what she thought she has improved on and what the team, as a whole, could have done to improve and she said, "The team could have improved on taking care of themselves better and being healthier. I think that most of us have increased our capabilities and become more well-rounded." A long term goal of hers was "Winning section 3 after scary situations and last minute changes." Rosie does not think she will continue her cheer career after high school, however she does know that the memories and lessons she has learned will always stick with her. As a whole, the team encountered many setbacks, however they all worked harder than ever to improve and keep improving on everything they were doing. The team has won a lot this year, and are still accomplishing goals, getting better, training harder, and becoming faster workers than ever before.
The Coach
I spoke to Ms. Vanornum, the varsity cheer coach, about this competitive season. "My biggest challenge as a coach was dealing with all my athletes getting the flu and all the winter cancellations this year." She started coaching after one of her senior students needed a coach to do cheer in her final year of high school. "I was told I would only have to do it for that fall season, but here we are 16 years later. I do love it though, so I am very glad I started." She explained that she has a lot of accomplishments with the team this year, however, "being able to advance to states for the last 3 years since states have started is a big one for me. Another one, I would have to say, is having a cheerleader go on to Syracuse University as a Division 1 cheerleader." What inspires Ms. Vanornum every year is, "It's very fun every year for me to change things up and try different and maybe even harder stunts, as well as watch the evolving trends every season." Coach Vanornum explained that she is more than proud of her girls this year, and even with the severe complications, she wouldn't have had it any other way.

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