Months of preparation resulted in a pair of trophies for the Powell High School cheer team, as they finished third in both 3A Gameday Cheer and 4A Co-Ed at the Wyoming State Spirit Competition in …
This item is available in full to subscribers.
The Powell Tribune has expanded its online content. To continue reading, you will need to either log in to your subscriber account, or purchase a subscription.
If you are a current print subscriber, you can set up a free web account by clicking here.
If you already have a web account, but need to reset it, you can do so by clicking here.
If you would like to purchase a subscription click here.
Please log in to continue |
|
Months of preparation resulted in a pair of trophies for the Powell High School cheer team, as they finished third in both 3A Gameday Cheer and 4A Co-Ed at the Wyoming State Spirit Competition in Casper on Friday. In addition to the two third place finishes coach Vicki Walsh was named the 3A Cheer Coach of the Year.
“I always tell my kids going into state competition that it is not about winning a trophy for me. I want them to go, have fun and know they did their best after they competed,” Walsh said. “Well all of those things happened and in the end we got to bring home some hardware. I couldn’t be more proud of these kids. No one really knows how hard they work and the dedication it takes to get to this point in such a short amount of time.”
Prior to heading to the state competition the Panthers typically have an opportunity to present their state routine in front of the Panther faithful during a basketball game, but they were unable to do so this year, which meant they performed the routine for the first time at state. Still, Walsh felt the team showed no fear in its routine in front of the Ford Wyoming Center crowd.
“I think they did just fine. The nerves are always there no matter how many times you perform,” Walsh said, adding “They rocked both routines and I don’t think a lack of performing in front of a crowd prior to (state) showed at all.”
The Panthers finished with 87.85 points in 3A Gameday, with Lovell coming out on top in that competition with 89.15. In the Co-Ed cheer the Panthers finished with 60.05 points while Rock Springs finished on top with 70.45.
Preparation for the state competition begins immediately after football season in November, giving the Panthers just two short months to prepare for the state competition, which was moved up another week this year compared to last.
“It was so incredibly hard losing another week of practice this year,” Walsh said. “When you have kids who are dedicated to being at practice and work super hard to learn two routines since the first part of November, I feel it really paid off. It was not easy, but they did what they needed to do to get it all accomplished. We had a lot of sickness and injuries this past week before state and that was hard, but the kids powered through.”
Learning routines in two months is an accomplishment in itself, but at the state competition the more difficult aspect comes in understanding the judges, which presents a learning experience each year.
“Every year judging is always based on what judges like. That is the hard part about cheer,” Walsh said. “Our score sheets are very technical and there are so many different areas you have to excel in, it is tough. I always look back every year at the score sheets and try to improve on the judging points and comments. Sometimes the judging comments are very brutal, but I think that is the best way to learn and improve.”
On top of the two trophies the Panthers earned for their efforts, Walsh herself was honored with a Coach of the Year award for the second time — she first received the award in 2019.
“It was something I was definitely not expecting,” Walsh said. “It is an award voted on by all of the other cheer coaches in the state and I was very humbled to receive it. There are so many amazing coaches and it is such an honor to share this award with others.”
Throughout her 26-year coaching career Walsh said the kids continue to make her want to come back every year. She said her athletes’ dedication to learning and excitement with the process makes the job and the extra time it takes worth it.
“Is every day easy? No, and I won’t lie most days are hard going to practice. You work at your job all day and then you spend another two hours after our normal day going to practice. It takes a lot of time away from your personal life and family,” Walsh said. “But I think it says something. Coaching is a very rewarding job and I have loved being a coach. Over the years I have had so many wonderful kids, parents and assistant coaches and that makes it so much better to want to continue to be here for kids.”