Bloomington High School North, Nikean, 2010, Page 213

Description:	S~\ fter placing third at the Universal Cheerleaders As-/ / sociation Nationals (UCA) last year, the only thingJ L on the cheerleaders minds was how to improvefor the 2009-2010 UCA Nationals.Their goal was to place first. Through teamwork andsheer determination, the team eventually achieved theirgoal, becoming the first squad from North to ever hold thetitle of National Champions.The season started out strong with Cheer Palooza, aday of various games and activities that facilitated teamwork and team bonding.At the end of the day, you feel like youve known thegirls for like 10 years, senior Clari Buehler said. Its alsopretty fun to play in the mud pit.The friendly support, however, continues on long afterthe completion of Cheer Palooza. The girls are there foreach other through thick and thin, including all the difficultconditioning that comes with competing.They practice routines to perfection and constantly trainto get in shape.Despite the pressure of placing third last year and theanticipation that came with the girls goal of placing first,the team was able to pull it together during Nationals andwork through one of the most difficult five-minute workoutsof their careers.All we could think about was how much we wantedthose [UCA Champion] white jackets, sophomore RachelPratter said. Its every teams dream to be able to walkout of Nationals with them.Buehler also had a similar reaction. She was completelyawestruck by the teams success.I had no idea what was really going on until like 20minutes after we won. I remember waiting backstage forour interview and thinking we are the best team in thenation, Buehler said. Ive worked so hard for four yearsto make this program the best it can possibly be, and toknow that my work paid off was a really good feeling.As for next year, the team has a fair amount of graduating seniors, but the underclassmen are sure that they canhandle the challenge.It will be sad not having the seniors, Pratter said, but Iknow that everyone is ready and able to step up.By Celine LangSenior Kali Ireland hugs her coach afterreceiving her medal for nationals. Iveput so much time into this program, andIve finally achieved the ultimate goal,Ireland said.Photo by Hannah LukemeyerJunior Anna David spots a teammateon a back tuck during practice. Imtrying to help her better her abilities byspotting her in efforts to make the moveperfect, David said.Photo by Addy Smithzheer iv
Source:	http://cdm17129.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/hs-bloomnorth/id/6435
Collection:	Bloomington High School North

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