SHS cheerleaders prep for season

Sequim High’s sports teams still are in preseason mode and school hasn’t started yet, but SHS’s cheerleaders are ready.

August 19, 2014 7:09 pm
Sequim High School’s varsity cheer team celebrates with a “Spirit Stick” at a cheerleading conference at Great Wolf Lodge earlier this month. The squad includes (back row
Sequim High School’s varsity cheer team celebrates with a “Spirit Stick” at a cheerleading conference at Great Wolf Lodge earlier this month. The squad includes (back row

Sequim High’s sports teams still are in preseason mode and school hasn’t started yet, but SHS’s cheerleaders are ready.

The Wolves’ varsity cheer squad got four days of learning dances, chants, cheers, jumps and stunts at a National Cheerleaders Association camp at the Great Wolf Lodge in Grand Mound from Aug. 8-11, joining more than 20 other teams from across the region. The squad also took part in several team-bonding activities.

At the camp, teams are paired with a “buddy” team; Sequim joined the Kingston Buccaneers for the four days; the two squads learned a dance that will be performed at halftime of the home varsity football game on Sept. 19 versus Kingston.

Sequim High’s 14-girl varsity team earned a Spirit Stick Award — one of the top awards teams can receive, given to teams that exhibit qualities such as heart, diligence, dedication, good sportsmanship, a positive attitude and teamwork — each of the four days of camp.

“They are respectful, talented and hardworking girls who represented our school and community in a positive light,” head cheer coach Julie Romberg said.

The highest honor that Sequim was awarded was the Herkie Team Award, an honor Romberg said is the cheerleading association’s most prestigious. It is given to squads who exemplify qualities on which the NCA was founded: leadership, values and teamwork.

In addition, the Sequim squad earned a Nationals bid from NCA, which means it qualifies to be in the association’s national competition in Dallas, Texas, in January.

In addition, five Sequim High School cheerleaders were nominated for the All-American Team; they are Halle Beck, Riesa Sumida, Morgan King, Alysha Graham and Emily Straling. The association created the All-American Team to recognize individuals displaying top cheerleading skills.

Romberg said Sequim’s girls are looking forward to upcoming assemblies, football games and community service events. They will be face-painting at the Back to School Fair on Aug. 23 and the Back to School Family Fun Run on Sept. 6, and cheering at the Walk to End Alzheimer’s event on Sept. 27.