By Noki Lam
Sports Editor
Costa Cheer traveled to Orlando, Florida for both their Game Day and Traditional routines, where they competed in the United Cheerleaders Association National High School Cheerleading Championship (UCA NHSCC), from Feb 7-12. The team placed 7th in Game Day and 6th in Traditional categories.
Costa competed in both the Super non-tumbling Game Day division and the Large non-tumbling division. They received a bid for Nationals in November when they became regional champions for both divisions.
“Being able to compete in all these competitions and showing our talent, especially Nationals is something I will never forget,” senior captain Mackenzie Wynne said. “This was my last year competing with this team and this year in Fllorida truly something I will never forget.”
Costa first hit the mat at the ESPN Wide World of Sports on Feb. 9 where they competed in semi-finals for their Game Dayroutine. They received a score of 89.9 on their routine, marking the first time their Game Day routine advanced to the finals of the competition. Costa was one of the 12 teams that advanced to finals in their division.
“The feeling of competing this routine in the semi-finals was truly amazing,” sophomore Sophia Zagross said. “We put in so many hours into this routine to perfect it, and being able to show off all our hard work as a team was so fulfilling. Finding out we were making it to finals I was filled with emotions.”
On Feb. 10, the team showed off their competitive Traditional routine and according to senior captain Zoey Oliver, it was the most difficult routine they have ever executed. The Traditional team also advanced to the finals alongside only five other teams in the division.
“Knowing that we were going to the finals was so exciting,” Oliver said. “Making it to finals was an accomplishment in itself and allowed our team to bond on a deeper level as we all celebrated this amazing moment together.”
Finals took place on Feb. 11, when both teams competed against other top-rated teams from around the U.S. The Mustangs’ Traditional routine placed 6th, while the Game Day routine finished in 7th. According to Oliver, the team was proud of their result.
“After a long competition season, we are proud we still ended it strong by reaching the finals,” Oliver said. “The perseverance we showed to reach the finals just showed how capable we were.”
Costa cheer will continue to work hard throughout the competition post-season and into the next season to prepare for future competitions, according to junior Megan Kernochan. The team looks to overcome the details that caused them to fall short in the finals of the competition.
“Compared to past years, the team has grown so much and continues to get stronger,” Kernochan said. “Our hard work and dedication is shown at every game we cheer at and every competition we compete in. Florida was what we worked for all year, and we are so proud of the outcome.”
The Mustangs will compete in United Spirit Association (USA) Spirit Nationals tonight and tomorrow at Anaheim Convention Center. According to Oliver, the team is proud of their improvements throughout the season, and she believes the returning team members will continue the success and sisterhood her and her other senior teammates have worked to create.
“It has been so amazing to see how much growth this team has had over the years I have been here,” Oliver said. “This is by far the best and most competitive team we have had and the program will only get stronger.”
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