The Charger Cheer team aims to have another successful year on the mat, returning key leaders who have been instrumental in preparing the squad for competitions. Coach Amelie Goss returns for her second season as head coach of the Chargers.
Last year, the Chargers experienced success and heartbreak. This year, they look to continue that success.
“I couldn’t be more proud of last year’s team,” Goss said. “They grew so much in such a short amount of time and became invested in our team’s goals and success. The season may not have ended the way we wanted it to, but I know the experiences and life lessons we took home from nationals will make a huge impact and help equip each individual cheerleader to face whatever adversity comes their way.”
Preparation for competitions takes hard work and many hours in order to be the best the team can be.
“A normal day of practice starts with us breaking down the different sections of our routine and perfecting every detail,” Goss said. “We may rehearse an individual section three to five times. Once each section has been rehearsed individually, we will run through several ‘full-outs’ where we are doing the entire routine just as we would on the competition mat. We watch videos of them at the end and critique what we can do better.”
All great teams have leaders, and this year’s team has many who are focused on winning.
“This year, we have 12 team leaders total,” Goss said. “Before the season started, we did a leadership book study together. I believe our team leaders all share a common interest in wanting this team to have a more successful season than we did last year, so they are doing a great job at working together and leading by example. Our team leaders have a lot of passion and drive.”
One of these leaders is Julianna Judkins: a senior captain who wants to end her high school career victorious.
“I am hoping to see each of my teammates grow individually with their cheer career and their own self,” Judkins said. “I also want us to grow as a team and as a family.”
Junior co-captain Anna Brooke Tucker is excited for the upcoming season. She talks about how she leads while still only being a junior.
“I do feel like I’ve grown into a leadership role on the team,” Tucker said. “I try to set a good example through my attitude, work ethic, and how I treat others. I hope to be the leader that younger girls would look to for advice and encouragement, while pushing them to be their best.”
The Chargers had their first competition on Oct. 25 in Memphis, and they look forward to the rest of the competition season.
“This year’s team is hungry to prove themselves,” Goss said. “They know what it feels like to be the top-scoring team two out of three times, and they know the sting of hearing your team called for second place by three-tenths of a point. This year’s returning team members want to do whatever it takes to be the top-scoring team three out of three times.”
