Aggie Cheer Takes First at Inaugural Competition
January 29, 2019
Goodwell, Okla. The Aggie Cheer team entered its' first collegiate competition this past Saturday and finished in first place at the Tabor College Invitational in Hillsboro, Kan.
The team received an average of 57.3 from the two judges and were given zero deductions.
Head Coach Alyssa Freeman stated that the team had been working diligently in the months leading up to their first invitational, practicing three times a week focusing on each aspect of the routine including dance, tumbling and stunts. The team also took part in strength and conditioning and saw ample time in the weight room to prepare for the extensive routine and high-energy movements of the dance portion.
Freeman noted that she was particularly proud that her team expertly executed their most difficult pyramid at the invitational. "The pyramid was solid at competition," said Freeman, "They overcame that obstacle and hit it perfectly and you could just tell as soon as they completed it and started the dance portion, they were so excited and fell into their groove."
On Feb. 1, the team will travel to Oklahoma City to take part in the Oklahoma City Classic. "That week will be more challenging since we are facing two teams that have gone to nationals and hold national titles, but I think it will just push my team to work harder in and out of practice," said Freeman. She continued, "I don't want to focus on how many wins other teams have but instead focus on how competing against these teams can only make us better."
Speaking proudly of her team and their accomplishments, Freeman stated, "We have overcome a lot of adversity since May and have come a long way since we first started working on this routine in the fall. We have a family bond that is prevalent now more than ever."
The Aggie Cheer team will be hosting an Open Gym on March 3 from 3-5:30 p.m. at the OPSU Noble Activity Center, and co-ed official Spring Tryouts will be held the evening of March 9 and the morning of March 10. Please contact Head Coach Alyssa Freeman at Alyssa.freeman@opsu.edu for further information, or visit opsuaggies.com under the Cheerleading tab for tryout forms and details.
The team received an average of 57.3 from the two judges and were given zero deductions.
Head Coach Alyssa Freeman stated that the team had been working diligently in the months leading up to their first invitational, practicing three times a week focusing on each aspect of the routine including dance, tumbling and stunts. The team also took part in strength and conditioning and saw ample time in the weight room to prepare for the extensive routine and high-energy movements of the dance portion.
Freeman noted that she was particularly proud that her team expertly executed their most difficult pyramid at the invitational. "The pyramid was solid at competition," said Freeman, "They overcame that obstacle and hit it perfectly and you could just tell as soon as they completed it and started the dance portion, they were so excited and fell into their groove."
On Feb. 1, the team will travel to Oklahoma City to take part in the Oklahoma City Classic. "That week will be more challenging since we are facing two teams that have gone to nationals and hold national titles, but I think it will just push my team to work harder in and out of practice," said Freeman. She continued, "I don't want to focus on how many wins other teams have but instead focus on how competing against these teams can only make us better."
Speaking proudly of her team and their accomplishments, Freeman stated, "We have overcome a lot of adversity since May and have come a long way since we first started working on this routine in the fall. We have a family bond that is prevalent now more than ever."
The Aggie Cheer team will be hosting an Open Gym on March 3 from 3-5:30 p.m. at the OPSU Noble Activity Center, and co-ed official Spring Tryouts will be held the evening of March 9 and the morning of March 10. Please contact Head Coach Alyssa Freeman at Alyssa.freeman@opsu.edu for further information, or visit opsuaggies.com under the Cheerleading tab for tryout forms and details.
