Hillcrest Cheer made it to state for the first time in a decade! They competed on Saturday at the Colonial Life Area in Columbia amongst schools across the state. The team worked diligently all season to accomplish this great achievement and were ecstatic to have the opportunity.
“I think this is a really exciting opportunity because we haven’t been able to go in ten years. I feel very important being a part of a team that got to do it,” says Emma Jean Pergerson, a junior on the cheerleading team. This sentiment is shared across the team.
“I feel like it’s also a good opportunity to get connected with other cheer teams like EGP or Designer…and it’s crazy cause this is only my second year,” said Keira Mesaeh, also a junior.
“I’m super happy and grateful because we’ve worked so hard and I’m so happy for our team,” says freshman Kylie Mesaeh.
The team’s coach Lauren Carter attributes their success to camaraderie felt throughout the team saying, “This season has been different because of the culture of our team. Every girl gets along, loves each other, and works hard to make the team the best it can be. The entire team shared a common goal and they met/exceeded that goal by qualifying for state. This season has been more fun than any other season. I truly love and enjoy being around every kid that’s a part of our program. I am going to miss this group so very much.”
Coaching a state-qualifying cheer team can be difficult. Carter says, “The hardest part of coaching is probably the length of our season. Unlike other sports, cheer starts in May and doesn’t end until about February when basketball season ends. Our athletes not only dedicate their time to cheer competitively, but also commit to supporting sports like football and basketball on top of staying healthy, training, and being ready to do their best in our own sport. This makes coaching cheer more difficult because athletes get tired, injured, and are pulled in so many directions with other clubs and activities that they have planned.”
It’s clear that the team’s and their coach’s hard work has paid off. Hillcrest placed 9th at state on Saturday, their best finish over ten years. Their accomplishment has brought pride to the team and the entire school.
