On Sunday, December 7th, the Hillcrest cheer team officially began the 2025–26 competition season with a strong showing at the Carl Sandburg Invitational. Competing in the Medium 2A division against eight other teams, Hillcrest earned second place. The team performed with sharp motions, high jumps, strong tumbling, and confident facials, receiving only one deduction overall. Although one stunt group fell during the final stunt sequence, the team remained composed and finished the routine with determination and pride.
Hillcrest entered the competition with high expectations after months of intense preparation. Practices often lasted up to five hours and required athletes to balance school, jobs, and personal responsibilities while pushing through physical and mental challenges. On the morning of the competition, the team arrived early for warm-ups, focused and ready to perform. Before taking the mat, the cheerleaders gathered with their coaches for a group prayer, taking a moment to reflect and thank God.
Afterward, the team encouraged one another, shared last-minute changes, and boosted confidence before stepping onto the floor. Once on the mat, Hillcrest cheer showed strong energy and teamwork throughout the routine. As we performed, athletes encouraged one another with phrases like “y’all got this,” “stay tight up there,” “good job with your tumbling,” “give facials,” and “remember to stay tight,” helping keep our energy and focus strong throughout the routine. Even after the fall in the final partner stunt sequence, the team stayed focused and continued performing with clean jumps and powerful tumbling. Their ability to recover quickly demonstrated mental toughness and trust in one another. Instead of allowing the mistake to define their performance, the athletes pushed through and finished strong.
After the competition, the team rode the bus home together, where the coaches shared the judges’ scores and feedback. Hillcrest earned a raw score of 87, with an official score of 86 after deductions. The judges highlighted strong point totals in several sections, including the pyramid, jumps, tumbling, and cheer portions of the routine. The scores highlighted how skilled the team was and how ready they were for the performance.
However, the judges also provided constructive notes. They noted that voices became quieter in the middle of the cheer, especially when athletes were stunting or tumbling. Additionally, they mentioned that the team’s energy sunk slightly midway through the routine before rising again during the dance section.
Following this performance, Hillcrest cheer continued to improve and later competed at the Marian Catholic Invitational, where the team placed fourth and qualified for ICCA State. As the season continues, the team plans to focus on maintaining strong energy throughout the entire routine and increasing stamina while executing skills. With hard work, resilience, and a strong team bond, Hillcrest cheer has set a positive and promising tone for the rest of the 2025–26 competition season.
