nATIONAL cHEER ASSOCIATION
Springing out of bed, Paulina Quinonez slips on her blue varsity leggings and puts on her mint green Dallas t-shirt. As she ties her shoes she brings her varsity cheer backpack to her car. She buckles her seatbelt and takes off towards McCarran Airport.
On January 20th, the cheer team traveled to Dallas, Texas to compete in the NCA (National Cheer Association) nationals. "When we got on the plane, I couldn't believe we were going to Texas," said freshman Lilly Klessig, "We spent so many hours fundraising, that when the day finally came, it just seemed unreal."
January 21st was day 1 of the competition. As the team boarded the monorail running through the city of Dallas (The Dart) multiple girls were nervous. "I've never competed at a competition with this many people in the crowd," said freshmen Lexi Zolina. "My stomach had so many butterflies."
On day 1 the team competed in the Game Time division. The division consisted of the team performing a time out cheer, a time out dance, and their school's fight song. The three performances were back to back meaning that the girls had to immediately go back to the practice room after they were done performing. All stunts and tumbling hit in the three performances allowing the team to take home two 8th place trophies and a 7th place trophy overall out of 17 teams.
"Overall I believe the other teams were just sharper and crisper with their motions," said senior captain, Paulina Quinonez, "We had a great routine, but we were competing against teams from around the nation."
On day 1 the team also performed their competition routine in the arena. That day they had a bobble in one of their stunts, a few tumbling touches, and a fall in the ending pyramid. After the scores came back, the team only got a -2 deduction. The team went to bed that night to rest up for day 2.
On day 2, cheer only performed their competition routine. "All I wanted to do that day was hit." said sophomore McKenzie Manzanares, "After falling on day 1, I wanted to prove that I could do these stunts." That day the team went out on the mat and hit a perfect routine. There was no bobbles, stunt falls, or tumbling touches. The team was given no deductions from the judges. At awards, the cheerleaders finished with 8th place, overall moving up a rank from the day before.
"Since we couldn't place any higher because of the way our routine was made, I think we did really good," said Quinonez, "We put our all out on the mat and gave the routine our 100%."
The team headed to the Dallas airport to head home. "The flight was the bumpiest one I've ever been on." said freshman Amber Drost. "Once we landed I was so happy to be home."
On January 20th, the cheer team traveled to Dallas, Texas to compete in the NCA (National Cheer Association) nationals. "When we got on the plane, I couldn't believe we were going to Texas," said freshman Lilly Klessig, "We spent so many hours fundraising, that when the day finally came, it just seemed unreal."
January 21st was day 1 of the competition. As the team boarded the monorail running through the city of Dallas (The Dart) multiple girls were nervous. "I've never competed at a competition with this many people in the crowd," said freshmen Lexi Zolina. "My stomach had so many butterflies."
On day 1 the team competed in the Game Time division. The division consisted of the team performing a time out cheer, a time out dance, and their school's fight song. The three performances were back to back meaning that the girls had to immediately go back to the practice room after they were done performing. All stunts and tumbling hit in the three performances allowing the team to take home two 8th place trophies and a 7th place trophy overall out of 17 teams.
"Overall I believe the other teams were just sharper and crisper with their motions," said senior captain, Paulina Quinonez, "We had a great routine, but we were competing against teams from around the nation."
On day 1 the team also performed their competition routine in the arena. That day they had a bobble in one of their stunts, a few tumbling touches, and a fall in the ending pyramid. After the scores came back, the team only got a -2 deduction. The team went to bed that night to rest up for day 2.
On day 2, cheer only performed their competition routine. "All I wanted to do that day was hit." said sophomore McKenzie Manzanares, "After falling on day 1, I wanted to prove that I could do these stunts." That day the team went out on the mat and hit a perfect routine. There was no bobbles, stunt falls, or tumbling touches. The team was given no deductions from the judges. At awards, the cheerleaders finished with 8th place, overall moving up a rank from the day before.
"Since we couldn't place any higher because of the way our routine was made, I think we did really good," said Quinonez, "We put our all out on the mat and gave the routine our 100%."
The team headed to the Dallas airport to head home. "The flight was the bumpiest one I've ever been on." said freshman Amber Drost. "Once we landed I was so happy to be home."