The GRC cheer team may be on the sidelines supporting WinCity and GRC hoops, but they’re competing just as hard as the players on the court. While the crowd watches the game, the cheerleaders are also battling it out on the hardwood.

The GRC cheerleaders participate in an in-game competition and they go against 16 other teams. The in-game competition is judged on stunts, tumbling, jumps, spirit, and the use of props. The judges will start the time twelve minutes before the game starts until the game clock hits 0:00. This takes long hours of practicing with blood, sweat, and tears.

“Preparing our team for in-game competition starts long before we step onto the court,” said Coach Jerrica Whitaker. “We practice all year long and really drill everything during district play.” 

The cheerleaders give their all every practice, so their coaches expect them to go out and perform like they know how. 

“I expect them to represent our program with pride, teamwork, and enthusiasm,” said Coach Emily Marquez. “Most importantly, I want them to go out on the floor and execute their abilities with confidence, energy and determination to reflect their hard work during practices.” 

Not only does the cheer team practice for in-game competition, but they also practice for their own state competition as well. 

“In-game competition focuses more on crowd engagement, spirit, and how the team performs in a live game environment,” said Marquez. “Instead of a single, perfectly timed routine on a mat, teams compete through their sideline presence, timeout performances, and their ability to energize the crowd throughout the game.”

While the cheer team is in full swing all year long, there are many challenges they have to face along the way.

“Staying 100% all year can be hard and overall having a good attitude and encouraging people around me,” said senior Kylie Conn. “It can be super exhausting going back and forth between games but also making our routine as perfect as we can.” 

Although the season is coming to an end, the coaches are proud of all the girls’ hard work. 

“This season has been challenging because all year there have been many obstacles we’ve had to overcome,” said Whitaker. “Exciting because we’ve had many positives from winning regions, going to state, and in game runner up. But most importantly worth it because through everything it has been worth it to see the excitement from the team and see everything they’ve accomplished.”