The bisonette cheerleaders competed at the state tournament for the first time in school history at Big Walnut High School in Sunbury, OH on Feb. 21.
The team is led by coaches Jocelyn Noel and Nyla Walker as well as seniors Savanna Shields and Ilu Thal.
In an email interview, senior Natalia Zeller explained the path the team took leading up to states where they competed in the gameday category.
“To qualify for states, we competed in two competitions… and scored first place for the first one,” Zeller wrote in an email. “Then we improved our routine by making lots of changes to do even better at the second competition, allowing us to qualify for states.”
The team won their first competition on Jan. 10 in Erie, Pa. and their second on Feb. 1 at Jackson High School in Massillon, OH. They won first place in their division and scored high enough to qualify for states.
Zeller explained how the team shifted their focus this season.
“This season, we practiced a lot more and spent more time focusing on competition material rather than our sideline cheers and halftime dances,” Zeller wrote. “Focusing on competition material definitely improved our overall performances at our competitions.”
Senior cheerleader Savanna Shields described how the competition routine is different from the routines performed at basketball and football games.
“We dance at halftime,” Shields explained. “This routine [for competitions] is traditional cheer.”
Junior Maya Gordeski explained the full competition routine that the team performed at states.
“Our competition routine is a three- minute routine with four parts that consist of band chant, chant, cheer and fight song.” Gorodeski said. “We participated in the division three non building routine, in which we did not do any jumps, tumbling or stunts.”
Junior Corinne Wexler explained how the judging works at cheerleading competitions.
“We’re judged on voice, crowd interaction, execution of moves and use of poms and megaphone,” she said.
“You’re going for low points,” she added. “If everything goes right, you get close to zero.”
Shields wrote about the role of coaches Noel and Walker in the team’s success.
“Both coaches run a strict program,” Shields said. “But you can tell the love and care they hold for not only cheer but their athletes as well.”
Zeller explained how busy the bisonette cheerleaders are between schoolwork, cheering for other teams and preparing for their own competitions.
“Being a cheerleader at Beachwood means having a packed schedule full of cheering,” Zeller said. “But I love it nonetheless.”
Gorodeski explained what a typical after-school practice looks like for the team, especially when a competition is upcoming.
“We always do two fullouts [the entire routine] and break down the cheer,” Gorodeski said. “During competitions we practiced every day from 3:30 to 6:00.”
Shields hopes that students come to appreciate that it is more than just about being on the sidelines.
“Cheer is not just about cheering for other teams,” Shields said. “We compete in a sport as well and would love and appreciate the same recognition and support that other teams are given.”
