First up was the preliminary round. In this round, each team showcases their best sideline and crowd-leading material in the following categories: Fight Song, Band Chant, and Crowd Leading. In this round, the use of crowd-leading tools such as, signs, poms, flags, and megaphones, is encouraged.

Head Cheer Coach Kayci Smith said her team did well in the preliminary round and advanced to the finals round.

In the finals round the team showcased its best leadership skills and sideline crowd-leading material in a Game Day presentation. Side-line practicality and effective leadership are considered in all elements.

The team went on to placing ninth in the state in the Division 2 - 6A bracket.

Smith said that this year is unique. She said from the beginning of the year her team never settled for just mediocre work.

“They demand greatness, and they encourage each other,” Smith said. “The coaches and I left our final practice feeing so confident. Our goal was to make finals and to represent Frenship well and I truly believed through this entire process we had a state qualifier on our hands, and it’s all because of the heart and drive of this team.”

Smith said she is beyond proud of her group of athletes. She said that even through the pandemic, the team pushed to finish strong.

“I have never loved a team more,” Smith said. “It’s been such a positive experience with so many amazing leaders from our freshman to our seniors. Our mascots are the backbone! They have stepped up and put it all on the mat with us! We are so proud of them. Our alternates have stepped in from time to time while we dealt with COVID and injuries. This team is ONE and they are amazing.”