Windham varsity cheerleading’s hard work evident during state competition

By Matt Pascarella

Windham’s varsity cheering squad qualified for the state competition after finishing sixth in the regional competition on Saturday, Feb. 1. They competed at the state competition against schools from all over Maine at the Augusta Civic Center on Saturday, Feb. 8, where they did a fantastic job.

Windham junior Maddi Kovats, front, with the Windham 
High Cheerleading Team behind her, synchronize a jump
as part of a cheer routine at the Augusta Civic Center 
during the state cheerleading competition on Saturday,
Feb. 8. PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA
 

Making it to the state competition was a huge goal for the team, so it was already a win, before they even took to the mat. Every Windham cheerleader was integral to the team’s success.

“They continued to come in every day with a positive attitude and mindset,” said Windham varsity cheerleading coach Amber DiRenzo Bushey. “They worked together as a team to perfect skills and gain new ones. It truly was a successful season. Our opening stunts I thought went really well, our dismount was a little off on one of them, but the actual skill itself went very well. The girls were determined and never gave up.”

DiRenzo Bushey said the Windham team changed all their tumbling routines before the state competition, and she thought that it went well.

“Our goal is to come out and do the best we can do. We just want to do better than last year and keep improving,” she said. “We improved our partner stunt technique as well. They put on a great performance at states; we couldn't ask for a more determined hard-working group of kids. I had a blast with these kids; they are all willing to work so hard, get new skills and try new things, it’s been awesome.”

The team dealt with a lot of challenges near the end of the season and had to rework the entire routine. The team has worked consistently on improving their stunts and tumbling skills. It worked all season to perfect their 360-switch up, and half-switch up, which they performed perfectly.

According to DiRenzo Bushey, Windham’s cheerleaders worked hard to hit coed switch-ups in their pyramid, which are extremely difficult. She said the team also worked hard to perfect their toe touch back handsprings and running tumbling and they all came together to put out the best routine possible.

“It was kind of sad that we didn’t have as many baskets,” said Windham senior Ella Roberts. “We did have one basket in the back that went high; our pyramid was pretty good because it showed off our coeds – when you only have two people under a stunt. As long as we’re proud of ourselves, it’s good either way, whatever we place, as long as we’re happy with (how we performed). Be proud of how far you’ve come, because inside it’s a lot.”

Windham senior Morgan Beck said that the team definitely got stronger through their performances and every time it was better and better. She said that she was happy with how the team performed and was glad she experienced her final competition with this team and was proud they gave their all.

“I’m so proud of us, we’ve been through a lot,” said Windham senior Talia Salazar. “We had to switch things around and I’m really proud of what we did today. I really love all the girls on this team.” <