Competitive Cheer Rolls Through a Strong Season
After the second year, the team builds a tight bond to elevate their routines.
By Rizwan Khan
After the second year, the team builds a tight bond to elevate their routines.
By Rizwan Khan
In their second year of being a Pioneer sport, the competitive cheer team placed first in competitions at Branham and Deer Valley High Schools, third at James Logan High School and CCS, and second at Nationals.
Junior Marrisa Hudson-Pomarantz, feels that the team’s tight bond pushes them to success.
“Our team had a family bond, we spent countless hours and days together, and in the end, it brought us together as one. We are a team with a tight-knit bond and we always fought hard to get where we needed to be,” said Hudson-Pomarantz.
Allie Teixeira, 11, felt that the connection between the athletes helped them perform at a high level and made this season special.
“This team becomes very close throughout the season it really becomes your second family. The coaches and the athletes get along so well that we all joke with each other, make each other laugh, help each other and so much more. With this team the amount of time you spend with each other each week, traveling to competitions, and team bonding, everyone becomes your second family,” said Teixeira.
Coach Carolina Lopez also believes the team's strengths were that they came in better prepared this season and that the newness of the sport didn’t phase the athletes this season.
“The team mentality overall was pretty good. Last year there was a lot to prove since it was our first year as a sport. This year the stress of having a better outcome than last year, I think played with some of our athlete's heads. They never showed it on the mat. They showed up at every competition,” said Lopez.
The team’s mindset of coming to work is what made the competitions a memorable experience for Teixeira.
“My favorite thing about this season was competing with my team. Competing is such a different experience and it's a feeling that I cannot describe. Being with your team, at a competition about to go on is such a nervous but also exciting feeling but, once you hit the mat it all goes away and it’s a big adrenaline rush,” said Teixeira.
Even though conditions were tough at times, Hudson-Pomarantz feels that they always managed to bounce back.
“We always fought so hard to be stronger, mentally and physically. Hard work really does pay off, and I, as well as my whole team, understand that. That’s what led us to be hard-working athletes who fight for the win instead of expecting it to be handed to us,” said Hudson-Pomarantz.
Lopez has enjoyed seeing them grow and is proud of how they managed to persevere. She hopes that the team can continue to prosper and win some more competitions next season.
“I’ve coached many high schools and I have never felt that family feeling like I have at Pioneer. Pioneer has the most amazing athletes. I’m just lucky to be able to be a part of the Mustang family. I think the amount of time and tears these kids spend together, just brings them closer together,” said Lopez.
Junior Marrisa Hudson-Pomarantz, feels that the team’s tight bond pushes them to success.
“Our team had a family bond, we spent countless hours and days together, and in the end, it brought us together as one. We are a team with a tight-knit bond and we always fought hard to get where we needed to be,” said Hudson-Pomarantz.
Allie Teixeira, 11, felt that the connection between the athletes helped them perform at a high level and made this season special.
“This team becomes very close throughout the season it really becomes your second family. The coaches and the athletes get along so well that we all joke with each other, make each other laugh, help each other and so much more. With this team the amount of time you spend with each other each week, traveling to competitions, and team bonding, everyone becomes your second family,” said Teixeira.
Coach Carolina Lopez also believes the team's strengths were that they came in better prepared this season and that the newness of the sport didn’t phase the athletes this season.
“The team mentality overall was pretty good. Last year there was a lot to prove since it was our first year as a sport. This year the stress of having a better outcome than last year, I think played with some of our athlete's heads. They never showed it on the mat. They showed up at every competition,” said Lopez.
The team’s mindset of coming to work is what made the competitions a memorable experience for Teixeira.
“My favorite thing about this season was competing with my team. Competing is such a different experience and it's a feeling that I cannot describe. Being with your team, at a competition about to go on is such a nervous but also exciting feeling but, once you hit the mat it all goes away and it’s a big adrenaline rush,” said Teixeira.
Even though conditions were tough at times, Hudson-Pomarantz feels that they always managed to bounce back.
“We always fought so hard to be stronger, mentally and physically. Hard work really does pay off, and I, as well as my whole team, understand that. That’s what led us to be hard-working athletes who fight for the win instead of expecting it to be handed to us,” said Hudson-Pomarantz.
Lopez has enjoyed seeing them grow and is proud of how they managed to persevere. She hopes that the team can continue to prosper and win some more competitions next season.
“I’ve coached many high schools and I have never felt that family feeling like I have at Pioneer. Pioneer has the most amazing athletes. I’m just lucky to be able to be a part of the Mustang family. I think the amount of time and tears these kids spend together, just brings them closer together,” said Lopez.