By Delaney Jackson

Reporter

The Blue Springs South Varsity cheer team had a strong State competition, and are hoping for a stronger National competition.

At the regional competition, the Varsity team won and later placed 2nd at the State competition. Senior Lena Sleyster said that she is proud of how her team did.

“I’m not going to say I’m disappointed with second place, because I’m not. I’m so proud of the ability of my team to succeed,” she said.

Sleyster was also one of South’s All-State cheerleaders, along with Sidney Schallenberg. To get the All-American consideration, there are certain stunting and tumbling requirements that the girls must meet.

“It was an honor to get an award like that,” said Sleyster.

The cheer team practiced every Monday and Wednesday during the school year, and every weekday during the summer. Senior Madison Nadler says they prepared a lot for the competition.

“We prepared not only physically, but also mentally for State,” said Nadler.

As well as winning the Regional competition and placing second at the State competition, the cheer team has something bigger planned: Nationals. This will be the first time a South cheer time will be going to this National competition.

It was the senior girls’ idea to go to the competition, and they had to go and talk to the school board to convince them to let them go.

“It was really intimidating at first, but they were all really understanding,” Nadler said.

The competition will be in Dallas, Texas, in January. The girls have already starting preparing for the competition.

“I’m super excited for it. We’ve started choreographing the new routines; it’s super fun,” said Sleyster.

That will be the last competition of the season, as well as the seniors’ last high school cheerleading competition.

“It’s been the best year that we’ve had, and the most hardworking team,” Nadler said.