On Nov. 17, the Cypress Ranch cheer team competed at the NCA Lonestar Classic, where they faced two other teams, including Edinburgh, a major competitor with a record of 10 NCA championships. Last year, the team beat Edinburgh at this same competition, earning 1st place, the Herkie High Point Award and Superior Showmanship for their facials and voice projection. This year, they returned with even more success, taking first place once again, as well as the Herkie High Point Award, Superior Showmanship and Best Use of Tumbling.

Senior Reagan Williams reflected on the significance of the win.

“This achievement means that everyone came in with a champion mindset. After hearing a lot about our competition and having to constantly switch people around in the routine, this win showed the strength it took for us to not only win our division but win overall,” Williams said.

For Williams, the motivation to perform at her best comes from her younger sister, who has recently started cheering.

“She loves to do what I do, so she’s my motivation to make sure that I’m doing my part as a member of the team and that my routine hits to its fullest potential,” Williams said.

Coach Tremaine spoke to the team backstage before they performed which helped uplift the spirits of the team.

“It felt like he was taking everyone’s nerves away,” Williams said. “It just felt great.”

As the team prepares for the NCA Championship in January, senior Kendall Leto shared her mental preparation process.

“Winning this competition puts us one step closer to winning nationals in Dallas,” Leto said. “Getting first with my team was the best feeling because it is my senior year, and I get to do what I love with all of my close friends. I am mentally preparing for competition in January by locking in at every practice and putting my all into our routine.” 

With the NCA Championship on the horizon, the team is focused on building on their success and preparing to bring their best performance yet.