Back in November, cheer coach Shera Hopkins was a little concerned.
After finishing up football season, the team was starting to prepare for their two competitions in January, but things weren’t coming together like she hoped.
As it turned out, she had no reason to worry.
At the UIL cheer competition early last month, the team took second overall. Then last week at the NHSCC, they finished fourth, one of 11 teams to make it to the finals nationwide.
“The big wins for this team weren’t just about results—it was the growth they showed as we got closer to competition,” cheer coach Shera Hopkins said. “In November, I’ll be honest, they were starting to worry me, but instead of giving up, they pulled together, and became the team I always knew they could be.”
The transition from the Texas state mats to the national stage in Orlando is no small task. While the UIL State competition focuses on the traditional “game day” spirit and precision, NHSCC is more demanding.
“We still make it a priority to show the judges how much fun we have cheering on our Hawks, but the intensity magnifies in every area – sharpness, timing, strength in stunts, motions, and voice projection,” Coach Shera said. “In cheer, there isn’t a clear scoreboard, which makes it harder to measure success, but their confidence, unity, and belief in each other were the real victories.”
Overall the results of both competitions prove the hard work and dedication put into the routines by each team member. Whether they reached their goal or not, the team showed school spirit and pure love for the sport while performing on the mats and represented the Hawks greatly.
“When they came off the floor after that final round, they were excited but also had tears of joy because they knew they had given it everything they had.” coach Shera said. “This season has been one of the most rewarding and emotional I’ve ever been a part of. This team has shown resilience, heart, and an unbreakable bond that goes far beyond the mat. I am incredibly proud of the athletes they have become and the legacy they are building for Pleasant Grove Cheer.”