Highlands cheerleaders show winning style
Cheerleading has become more than just girls yelling and waving pompoms at the local high school gymnasium.
Now, there are nationally televised competitions, and the Highlands varsity cheerleading squad knows all about that.
Last weekend, Highlands took a first-, and third-place finish in two events at the 2008 AmeriCheer International Championship at the Milk House at Disney's Wide World of Sports in Orlando, Fla.
"We always say we go for the experience. But both teams going were good," coach Virginia Heasley said of her team's expectations. "You never quite know what is going to happen."
The competition had teams from 24 states and three foreign countries -- Canada, England and Costa Rica.
The stunt squad, composed of five seniors -- Jennifer Brake, Kristen Klein, Kylie Moucheron, Kaitlyn Stanoski and Julie Wislie -- won the Senior Stunt Group competition with an overall score of 84.25.
The team squad, composed of 17 girls, finished in third place with an 83.67 score.
Both squads had to move up to the senior group despite competing in the medium group in previous competitions.
"(The stunt competition) is always centered around a girl that is being tossed in the air or doing some stunt," Heasley said. "They judge you keeping the girl in the air, and the creativity in keeping her in the air."
In addition to trophies and jackets for the victory, the team also took part in a parade at the Animal Kingdom at Disney World.
The stunt squad also won the state competition in November. Brake, Brittany Howells, Moucheron, Stanoski and Wislie made up that team.
It was one of five competitions that Highlands has participated in leading up to the international event.
The cheer team's routine has remained almost unchanged throughout the year.
"We keep them very similar," Heasley said. "We keep a basic routine in the summer, and then we add to it and perfect it."
Routines are based on motions, dance, cheer, effect and choreography. Those routines were cultivated from the time of tryouts, in June, to now.
The team began its year in November, practicing at Highlands High School and sharing time with various sports when it had to.
The girls shared the gym with the football team when the weather forced them indoors. They also shared the gym with the basketball team during their practices.
Many of the girls participate in sports, including softball and track, as well as other activities. But once those seasons finish, the team will start all over again, in June, in hopes of capturing more titles.
