Lafayette High School’s cheerleading team is practicing for an exciting journey to compete at the state competition in Winchester, KY. With a strong commitment to their routines, the team has dedicated themselves to practices three times a week and each practice is 2 hours and 20 minutes, showing their determination and passion. These qualities helped them to perform a great show at the Universal Cheerleaders Associations Regionals, where they showed their talent by placing 2nd place in the Game Day Routine and 3rd place in the Traditional Routine.
The Game Day Routine is a performance cheerleaders typically perform during games, a band dance, a sideline cheer, and the school’s traditional fight song. During this routine, the cheerleaders must use high energy and enthusiasm, cheering the crowd and bringing the spirit of Lafayette to life. The peppy crowd is important, as it reflects the skills and community pride that the cheerleaders represent.
On the other hand, the Traditional Routine, also known as 2 ½ minutes, presents a different challenge for the team. This routine has many parts: tumbling, stunts, pyramids, cheers, and jumps, making it harder than the Game Day Routine. Hitting stunts in a routine can be hard after having used much of their energy for all their other skills.
Keeping up the spirit at the same time as performing can be hard, especially if a stunt falls or if cheerleaders don’t hit their tumbling. This routine is hard, but it proves that every cheerleader on the team needs to have the same commitment as the coaches have for them.
The cheer team has a very busy schedule, with practices every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. The basketball game schedule can also impact practice times since cheerleaders perform consistently at these games.
When asked about their feelings toward the upcoming Kentucky High School Athletic Association State (KHSAA) Competition, the emotions among the competition team cheerleaders were mixed. Some expressed feelings of nervousness and others expressed feelings of calmness. Freshman cheerleader Mika Ishmael shared her perspective with The Times, stating, “All we can do is try our best and have fun.”
As the state competition approaches, the team members must stay focused, encouraging one another and celebrating their achievements together. With this spirit, the Lafayette High School cheerleading team prepares not just to compete but to make lasting memories and enjoy every moment of their amazing journey. So come and support Lafayette’s cheerleaders at their state competition.
