Cheer Nationals are unlike any other national event I have ever been apart of in my athletic and administrative career. Having played in basketball, tennis, and kickball national events I can attest none of them compare to the excitement, support, and emotional roller coaster of a Cheer Nationals. After attending my first JAMZ Nationals with Mercy last year I was excited to get back to Orleans and support our team.

Friday and Saturday competition days are some of the longest days of the year. The team is constantly on the go from study hall, lunch breaks, practice mats, team check in, performances and then right back to practice. What amazes me about the team is their resilience. After Friday's Show performance the team held practice 8:00-9:30 pm. Post practice there was a quick pit stop at In and Out and then back to the hotel. I took the team up to the rooms for bed checks while our Coaches headed back to the arena to get the notes on the first performance. They stayed until 1AM debating with the judges on how to improve our scores. Saturday we had a slow start, warming up in 37 degree weather on the outdoor practice mats. Sideline Cheer hit the stage with our mascot in tow and placed on the stage for luck and the team Hit Zero! The goal of every performance is to have zero deductions. A little time to celebrate and then it was right back down to the team rooms to prepare for the final show performance. After the final performance of the weekend the reality sets in. Athletes are exhausted and finally have a little downtime before the awards ceremony. This year the team finished in 5th place in both our Sideline and Show divisions. I am extremely proud to bring home our banners, what I am most proud of is how they handled themselves all weekend. From our Thursday night team dinner where our waiter made a point to compliment our well mannered team, to pinning other cheerleaders with our handmade pins, and how they took care of each other all weekend. National events are a whirlwind and for many of our athletes this was their first one but they had some great veterans who showed them the ropes.