DOMINANCE: is the one word that 8-year Coach Sara Steinkraus uses to describe the legacy of her better-than-ever cheer team. All 13 girls have been working endlessly to deliver results that surely do not disappoint Steinkraus.
“As soon as these girls hit the mat, they come out with full confidence which shows how they’re dominating the mat each round,” Steinkraus said.
Recently, the girls competed at Chelsea’s Winter Blast Invitational taking a second place finish behind 6-time state champion Hudson. They received a score of 668 and new high-scores for each round, contributing to their all-new high score.
Out of 7 competitions, they have gotten first place 3 times in a row and have a lowest place of only second place. Last year, the cheerleaders got first place twice showing a huge improvement from the previous season.
However, this year’s team is different and most importantly– younger. Out of 6 girls on the mat for each round comes a huge freshmen presence. Taking the varsity mat for the first time can be nerve-wracking to some, but freshman Allie Williams gains confidence every time she takes the mat.
“It’s definitely harder but taking first place a lot makes me feel like I’m amazing at cheer,” Williams said.
Williams is one of many girls on the mat who is showing improvement with every competition, but so is sophomore Amelia Estes who was on the team last year.
“I do jump drills every day as well as face drills,” Estes said.
In Michigan Competitive Cheerleading, jumps and faces are one of the most important aspects of taking the mat, raising your general impression and overall score. To Estes and the rest of the team, taking measures to improve every single day such as various drills are one of many reasons why Stockbridge Cheerleaders are continuing to prove their dominance.
