Although it’s the start of the winter season, the JV poms and cheer teams enter their state championships next month. Importantly, for poms and cheer, varsity programs aren’t the only programs that compete. Our JV poms team is the defending state champions, and they intend on reclaiming their title next month.

Although they have almost a completely different team this year, they are continuing to work hard, guided by their new captains.

On November 3, 2021, they took first place in the hip-hop category at the Front Range League competition, which was hosted at Fossil Ridge High School in Fort Collins.

These ladies have been working extremely hard this season, and their determination and work ethic do not go unnoticed.

Several members of the team have said that being on the team this year has been a really positive experience and that they can’t wait to continue growing together. Mattea Drake, the freshman JV captain, said, “The support and overall energy of the other teams were so special and really nothing like I’ve experienced before.”

Another captain, Sofie Opland, who is a first-year sophomore JV captain, reflected on her experience with her team: “I’m so lucky to have gotten to be a captain this year, and I have loved stepping into this role of leadership and personally prefer it over the regular teammate role. Having a team of almost entirely freshmen has been a very interesting journey. However, getting to lead these girls has been such a great experience and something I will never take for granted.”

Ultimately, this team of girls works together to strengthen their performance skills. Drake said, “I love performing, especially since we haven’t been able to do it as much as we used to. Although I am used to performing on a stage rather than the gym floor, this experience was different [than competition dance] but so, so fun.”

This team of eight girls are working to keep rising and reaching their goals to win state on January 22. So make sure to come and cheer them on at Cherokee Trail High School.

Looking to the future, Drake said, “Overall, I can’t wait to continue making memories and growing as a team.”