CHS cheerleaders (l to r) Ja’Tarya Hoskins, Emily Fiedler, Dawson Houston, and Melia Welling celebrate their success. (BreAnna Boon photos)
Your regional champs.
Disney World is in sight.
The Coupeville High School cheerleaders kicked off a new season of competition Saturday by winning their class at the UCA Northwest Regional, which brings the dream of a trip to nationals that much closer.
The Wolves, who vied in small coed non-tumbling, are in their second season of competition after many years of being only a sideline squad.
Last year they surpassed their goals, not only making it to state, but claiming 3rd place in 1A while there.
This time around, CHS coach BreAnna Boon and her squad, which has added male cheerleaders Gavin St Onge and Dawson Houston, are aiming to qualify for nationals, which are held in Florida.
“We will find out later this week if we qualify to go to nationals! NATIONALS!!,” said an excited, and sleep-deprived Boon. “That’s not something that was even in our dreams when we started the competition team last year, but here we are!
“It’s crazy to think that’s even possible for such a small squad, but if they are gonna get that bid, this would be the team to do it!,” she added. “Nationals is at Disney world, in Orlando, Florida, which is a big reach for our little tiny town, but these kids can do it no question.”
While they’re aiming beyond state this season, the Wolves have already shown they could qualify for that meet, if they wanted.
Coupeville scored a 69.70 in their event Saturday, and the qualifying score for state in small coed non-tumbling is 59.
Saturday’s competition was a regional event, and doesn’t count officially towards qualifying for state, but a statement was made.
“If the kids keep improving, the state qualifying score is already there,” Boon said.
But, as stated before, Coupeville is aiming for the top rung this season, and, with that goal, came a quick start to the season.
“This competition was very early on in the game,” Boon said. “Usually teams don’t start competing until the end of November or December, so to go to a competition the very first Saturday of November was not an easy thing to do.”
Her squad put in strong work behind the scenes, which is already beginning to pay off.
“We have had to overcome so many obstacles I honestly didn’t know if we would make it to the competition,” Boon said. “Every single day this week we were thrown a curve ball.
“But this is, by far, one of the strongest teams I have ever coached – mentally and physically,” she added. “They know how to get their head in the game and get the work done.”
It’s already shown results, as the Wolves returned from regionals and promptly stormed the office of CHS Athletic Director Willie Smith.
“My favorite part of the day was when the kids got the trophy they all yelled “THIS IS GOING IN WILLIE’S OFFICE!!,” Boon said with a big laugh.
“They were most excited to bring that hardware back to set it in his window sill,” she added. “Their goal is to line his office with trophies!”
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