Blue Devil cheerleaders qualify for nationals

Coming off of a solid second-place finish at Franklin High in the season’s first event, the Davis High cheerleading squad had its work cut out for it at last weekend’s USA Regional High School Spirit Competition in Antioch.

Forced to perform without two injured veterans, and with the knowledge that it would be the final competition ever for two other Blue Devils, DHS stepped up big time. The locals, who competed with a combination of their JV and Varsity teams, took first place in Antioch to earn a trip to the USA National Competition. Nationals are in Anaheim this March.

With Summer Yeo and Shae Langley temporarily sidelines, Devil captains Aimee Davis, Elisa Nelson, Lauren Hupe and Megan Barlow rallied the team to learn new routines, spacing, stunts and tumbling passes and led a confident Davis squad.

The Blue Devils’ precision, spirit and near flawless technique put them on top of Lowell, Woodside, Mercy and Bencia to win the Super Varsity Novice Show Cheer Division.

In the stunting portion of the routine, DHS hit all five elements of their elite sequence, while other teams struggled not to drop their athletes. Flyers Rana Eser, Mo Roeckl-Navazio, Alyssa Vitangcol and Alyssa Rinetti stood tall in stunt groups, held steady by bases and backspots Lauren Haverlock, Camille Johnson, Megan Klisiewicz, Addie Neel, Lucia Palmer and Kathleen Pan.

In addition, tumbling passes by Kalysta Holder, Adriana Lowry, Kaylee Boehm, Molly Bernard, Brittany Aldredge and Anna Verdiguel wowed the crowd.

Coach Danielle Eckert said that she was pleased that the team worked hard to correct the minor errors from the prior week’s competition and put on a top-notch performance.

“We will continue to make some adjustments and changes in the routine to get ready for nationals,” Eckert added. “But these girls are a very talented and motivated group and are capable of placing in the top at the National competition.”