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April 7, 2009
By Denise Doruff - The cheerleading squad poses for a picture with their trophy and medals. The team took third place overall at Nationals.
By Samir Hamsafar -
The cheerleading team competed in the National Spirit competition and took third place overall in their division. Burbank High School and Sequoia High School took first and second place respectively.
The team looked to repeat their success in 2008’s competition, when they took first place. The team had high expectations this year, but had to compete with only six out of eighteen members from last year’s team.
“For the newer girls it was a great way to end their first or second year because now they have the drive to make it to finals in upcoming years,” senior captain Melissa Doruff said.
The competition consisted of 500 teams from around the nation; Washington competed in the large varsity show cheer novice division with 17 other teams.
“Getting into finals was one of the best feelings ever; we worked so hard and achieved our goal,” senior Shelby Eicher said.
The team was practicing their choreography in Irvine on March 27, when they found out they had to change a stunt because it was illegal according to the regulations of the competition.
“It was stressful changing the routine last minute, but it made their routine better. It seemed to add to their already high nerves,” coach Tiffany Wittmer said.
Before finals, the team decided to alter the stunt again to make it more difficult. The result was a third place title in their division.
