I waited, holding my teammates’ hands, and felt my heart race as they announced our name over the speakers and I learned that we had won the overall Heart of America Athletic Conference banner.
I knew right then our hard work had finally paid off.
I never thought the stress and pain I felt the last two weeks would lead to such an amazing day. I never thought it would feel so surreal.
After performing in the NAIA Cheer and Dance Regional Qualifier and the HAAC Cheer and Dance Championships on Feb. 2, we earned a bid to nationals and won the overall HAAC championship. I couldn’t believe it and cannot explain how I felt while embraced in a giant hug of glitter, sweat and tears.
The cheer team has had a run of bad luck, but we never gave up. The team has always experienced its ups and downs, so a rough week before competition was not going to stop us. It wasn’t our nature and wasn’t in our faith. We had to win.
Our main goal was making it to nationals. We wanted that bid as much as a child wants the toy that sits in the front window of a toy store. We weren’t going to take no for an answer anymore.
Our positive attitudes, tears of hard work and faith in one another led to one of the most amazing days of my life — one I will never forget.
As a senior with three years of Baker cheer under my belt, it seems about time that we use our strength and determination to win something. We deserved this and to be completely honest, I wanted this. This is the right note to end my four years at this university.
It still seems crazy. I think “Oh, I have one last game, one last time to cheer,” but that isn’t the case this time. We are going further, and as a member and captain this year, it is truly a blessing.
I know that we had doubt. There has always been a little doubt around cheer, but I am glad people can finally see that we can be winners. We want to be a collegiate team and show Baker that we have always been serious, this was just our year to shine.
I never thought I would miss cheer as much as I will when I walk at graduation in May. This team has overcome many obstacles, and I am honored to call them my teammates.
This team has taught me a lot about myself and showed me how to be a good leader. I appreciate everyone that has had faith in us, and I really want to thank our coach for always being there. She has given this squad everything and I am glad we could return the favor by our win.
Some might think cheer is not a big deal, let alone an athletic sport, but it has been my life for the last three years and will be something I will always have a passion for.
It was a moment that will always be worth bragging rights in my book.
