OSAA State Championship - 2022
After a nine-month season full of surprises, the Gladstone Varsity Cheerleading team takes 1st at the OSAA State Championship.
The team poses for an emotional picture with the 4A Cheerleading Champion trophy to celebrate their win.
“Winning is a habit, success is a choice.” The words were a mantra spoken before every practice, every rep, and every competition. A reminder that champions work for what they earn and choose to be successful in their endeavors every day, regardless of what curveballs are thrown their way.
After a difficult season full of COVID-19 regulations and unpredictable changes, the team fought to be on top all season, sweeping 1st place wins at every competition. With fierce competitors, most notably Sweethome Varsity Cheerleading, it was a stressful, yet rewarding season for Gladstone coaches and athletes alike. When asked how she felt during a season with such heavy competition, head coach Shelby Crystal said, “being in this division, where our competition is so great, makes every win mean that much more. It’s honestly pretty special. Nothing in 4A cheerleading is given- it’s earned”. The team worked harder than ever to show up work the highest level of skills possible and performed with unmatched energy.
Flyers, Tegan and McKenzie lead the crowd during the Game Day performance.
A team with sass and spunk, their theme of “heartbreakers” fit perfectly. Donning bedazzled uniforms with a heart on the skirt, the girls tumbled, stunted, jumped, and danced their way to a hard-earned victory at the OSAA State Championship. Receiving the highest scores of their season, the achievement was enormous. Even more impressive was the fact that this was Gladstone’s third consecutive State Champion title.
Before running on, the team takes a moment to connect and hype each other up.
The coaches and veterans on the team know without a shred of doubt that next season will be even harder than the last. With new teams moving into their division, it will be crucial to focus on skill development and bringing their signature spunk back on the floor. The team is recently begun a new season and is once again, working their hardest to achieve yet another State Championship win.