Stockbridge competitive cheer has been overlooked in the past years because of their small numbers, but this season has led to a new hope. The lady panthers had an outstanding turn out to their tryouts this year, including six freshmen.

 “In past years, we were lucky to have eight girls tryout,” Senior Adrianna Adkins said. “People looked down on us because we had so few girls in the past so the amount of girls this year is great.”

A couple freshmen joined the team because they thought it would be a fun experience.

“ I joined the team because it looked like a fun environment to be around,” freshman McKenna Williams said. 

“ I joined because of my friends but i love it now,” Freshman Alana Porzio said.

 In their first competition, the lady panthers placed third out of seven teams.

“It was our first competition of the year and for a lot of our team, it was their first ever,”junior Olyvia Hoard said. “It was very nerve racking for those who weren’t used to the environment.” 

Out of 15 girls on the team, six of them are freshmen. 10 of the lady panthers have one year or less of experience under their belt which would normally put them behind other schools but it hasn’t yet. 

 “Having a young aspect of the team gives me a better look at the older girls and stuff I could learn from them,” freshman Gianna Watts said. 

The youth of the team has brought a new light compared to previous years. In the past years, the team has had less than 12 people on the team but now they’re able to create routines they couldn’t before. 

“For sure now that there are more girls on the team we can get more done and try new things to add to our routines,” junior Abigail Roberts said.

 The more skills that are added to routines, the more points teams are able to receive. With supportive upperclassmen, the freshmen are able to grow comfortably within the team.

 “I definitely do think we will improve in the upcoming 2 months because every girl on the team holds themselves to a certain standard and are willing to improve every day,” freshman Shelby OKoney said.

 The lady panthers hope for a bright future ahead of them.

“I have high hopes for the future of our young team,” Senior Adrianna Adkins said. “I say this because a handful of the girls had never cheered before but they came out and have already shown so much skill and progress and it is still early.”