Irvington High School Cheer has earned first place at regionals, securing their spot at nationals. After several years without a regionals championship, the victory has marked a turning point for the beloved cheer team, serving as an emotional milestone for those who put their sweat and tears into performing an outstanding routine.The team attended nationals from February 19 to February 22.
Captain Maxwell Cowan (12) describes the moment their name was called at the podium as “unforgettable”.
“It was a shock,” said Cowan, “We were going against the team that won nationals last year, so when they called second place and it wasn’t us, it was just this jaw-dropping moment. We haven’t won regionals in a long time, so hearing our name for first place was huge.”
The team’s win did not come easy; the weeks learning up to regionals consisted of three-hour practices Monday through Friday. However, during the week of competition, the team adjusted their schedule to conserve energy.
“It was hours and hours of practice,” Cowan said. “We really had to push ourselves to go full out every time.”
Cowan also explains that one of the biggest challenges this season was shaping the team’s mindset. “Getting into the mentality of being able to actually hit these stunts and pushing ourselves to full out was an important part of our success.”
The sentiment was echoed by team member Alana Mariano (9), who describes the nerves that came upon stepping foot on the mat. “It’s always nerve-wracking,” she said. “But we have a team talk and hype each other up before going on stage; we tell ourselves not to be cocky, just confident. We still love each other no matter what.”
It’s safe to say that the strong team bond is definitely one of the cheer team’s strengths. As the season progresses, the supportive environment flourishes, both in and outside of practice.
“There’s just something about this team,” Cowan said. “Those are my sisters. We all take care of each other well.” The growth has been noticeable physically as well as emotionally. Many athletes advanced from novice skills to being able to perform difficult stunts. Mariano began flying, a type of cheer stunt, for the first time this season, and is proud of her dramatic improvement.
The victory symbolizes the team’s resilience and commitment. Through all the long practices and repetition of routines, Cheer managed to create a routine that combined precision, with their confidence.
