By Saveria Farino
The competitive cheer team, Cougarettes, Cougar Spirit, and the All Male Dance team participated in the National Cheerleaders Association West Coast Championship and the National Dance Alliance West Coast Championship in the gymnasium on Saturday, Feb. 6.
The cheerleaders performed a routine with individual stunts, tumbling, pyramids, and a cheer. They ended their performance with the dance. Cheer won the specialty award for the best use of jumps and first place in the large advanced division.
“We practice five days a week from 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. We did a pretty good job, and we are a strong team together and overall put on a great show,” Taylor Roylance, sophomore, said.
The varsity dance team, the Cougarettes, competed in three categories including pom, jazz, and large group dance. They received first place in all three of their divisions. Cougar Spirit received first place in jazz and second in pom. The All Male Dance team won first place in hip hop.
“I was beyond proud of my team. We work so hard as a whole and even if we didn’t win at all, I know my girls tried their absolute best and poured their hearts out on the floor and that’s what really counts. Winning all three dances is such an amazing and rewarding feeling as well,” caption Jazmyn Everett, senior, said.
The dance soloists included junior Sara Advent and seniors Meagan Castle, Taylor Norton, Camryn Almeido, and Rita Advent. Castle placed third, Almeido placed second, and Advent placed fourth. Sisters Sara and Rita Advent placed third in their duet.
“Having the chance to dance with my sister is something that I will always be grateful for. My sister is such a hard worker and a phenomenal co-captain of the Cougarettes and we were so joyful to dance side by side with each other. She is my best friend and that makes it that much better when we can compete together. Together we earned third place and we are so pleased. The solo and duet competitions were a great way to end a very successful N.D.A. competition,” Rita said.
The Cougarettes will compete next Friday and Saturday in Anaheim, California and cheer will compete next Saturday at UNLV.
