SCJAAF Cheer Comp
Spoiler alert: Today’s post has no didactic value whatsoever. No deep thoughts. Just a glimpse into the life of a cheer coach.
Today out in Indio, our season crescendoed as the SoCal Junior All-American Orangecrest Wolves competed along with 800 other screaming, uniformed girls. Nerves were on edge; the decibel level, unforgivable.
Our family stayed overnight in Indian Wells, to shorten the 60 mile commute to the event venue, Fantasy Springs Casino Resort & Convention Center. Although my squad, the Midgets (girls 13-14) didn’t compete until 4:00p, we reported at 8:00a to get checked in.
Hairpieces were affixed over severe buns. The little ones cry sometimes because it is so tight. They take it as part of the sport.
We then head to the stands to cheer on the younger squads. The convention center is decked out with tumbling mats as the center stage, and all manner of cheer families fill the stands.
Over 85 squads from Corona, Murrietta, Riverside (that’s us, Orangecrest), Norco and the powerhouse, Yucaipa compete in heats based on squad size, not ability.
Throughout the day, while you wait for your heat, you can take team portraits…
..or spend money at the vendor stands. One can never have enough cheetah spanks or plaid flannel pajama pants with the word cheer down the leg.
So my squad, being the oldest division, competed last. The months of stunting practice, bruises, conditioning and tumbling all come down to this moment. And as the girls executed their routine with energy, precision and good facial expressions, I just smiled. And recorded on my iPhone, of course.
Orangecrest took First in every heat they competed in. Something they make a habit of doing.
Not gonna lie, I’m thankful the season is done, and it’s neat to end on such a high note. The girls worked so hard, and if anyone ever thinks cheerleading is easy, I know differently.
This last picture is of my family, minus 10-yo S., who was throwing up in the bathroom. After 8-yo T had been doing the same yesterday.
Oh, my life….
2 Responses to “SCJAAF Cheer Comp”
Awesome! Congratulate her squad for me!
Oh, thank you Alicia! Cheer may be your mothering future too, you never know…I didn’t plan on it. Ever.