The Oxford High School cheerleading team recently competed in the MHSAA state competition, placing eighth in the state. The team put in endless hours of work leading up to the event.
“We have done a lot of rebuilding this year,” senior Makenzie Turner said. “We have been doing a lot of technique training and strength training to help build better stamina for our routine along with building a better mindset and learning to trust in ourselves and our teammates.”
Along with much practice, head coach Amelie Goss has made an impact on the team this season. She leads the team not only with knowledge but lots of experience as well pushing them to limits that have made them stronger both mentally and physically.
“We put a lot of thought into every piece of the routine because it all kind of fits together like a puzzle, you have to use everyone’s strengths to showcase the best possible routine in the best possible way,” Goss said. “State was our 77th time to perform that routine full out. I am most proud of the hard work they have put toward being as successful as they have been this season and for believing in me and my belief in them.”
Constant encouragement has played a key part in the team’s achievements this season. The three new coaches are constant supporters.
“She [Goss] is always telling us how great we can be and not letting us just settle for less,” senior captain Caty Schmelzer said. “Our whole coaching staff is truly a blessing to our team this year.”
After not attending since 2017, the OHS cheer team will be competing at the National High School Cheerleading Championship in February in Orlando. They are continuing their hard work to perfect their routine for nationals.
“To separate us from the other teams we are going to have to clean up the little things in the routine to make them perfect,” Schmelzer said. “After we perfect everything we will continue to run as many full outs as possible to get the right amount of reps in so that we can go to nationals floor with confidence and know that we are going to nail the routine.”
There are many factors this season that are going to continue to strengthen the team as they take on other elite teams at nationals. Some include an infraction system, self-corrections, and consistency during practice.
“We have definitely had several factors to help us be prepared this season but I think the main one would be consistency,” junior Hannah Johnson said. “Having a routined practice has allowed us to continually improve and learn from our mistakes. I also believe our self-correction assignments have been super beneficial because it allows us to critique ourselves and improve individually which has gradually improves our routine as a whole.”
The team has been driven all season to constantly get better and never give up, constantly striving to be the best team they can be.
“What has kept us motivated is wanting to show everyone that we have been working hard to prove that we are fierce competitors,” Turner said.
A major contributing factor to the team’s success so far this season comes from having a close team. This leads to everyone uplifting one another as well as motivating each other.
“Out of my four years on the team this year for sure is the closest team I have been on,” Schmelzer said. “I think our success is a result of that. When we take the mat we know without a doubt that everyone is giving 100% and wants to do well for each other. I am so proud of the team so far this season and cannot wait to show everyone what we worked so hard for at nationals.”
