By Michelle Rettmueller | Editor in Chief, Staff writer
Indian Trail’s cheer teams have dominated state once again, with both varsity and junior varsity taking home the gold. For the varsity squad, this is their first year competing in Division One and their second year taking home first prize, with last year being the first time they have competed in state. As for junior varsity, this is their fourth year in a row winning, making them four-peat state champions.
With all their success, a simple question arises: How do they do it?
“I think our success is learning how to manipulate the scoring in cheerleading,” said Julie Kerkman, coach of IT’s varsity squad.
“You have to know where you can max out your points and strategize that way. My girls are very strong dancers, and I just knew that we were going to max out dance for sure.”
According to Kerkman, part of their success is also because of how unique the IT squads are.
“They’re very competitive and they’re performers,” said Kerkman. “When they take the floor, they get into a mode far different than you would see them at a football or a basketball game. Our program is very unique in a lot of ways. It’s been decided from day one that we were going to be unique.”
The State Cheer Championships took place on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2014 at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wisconsin.