The coed varsity cheer team is heading back to Nationals. All the late night practices, dedication and hard work has ultimately led up to this final competition. The skills and techniques that are expected at Nationals are at the collegiate level, but according to varsity cheer coach Ackimberly Cartmill, the team is ready, as this is what they’ve been preparing for all year.

“[Our] routine consists of collegiate coed stunting, which involves our male ‘bellcrew’ being about to toss and hold the girls in the air with either one or two feet in their hands,” Cartmill said. “We also feature a variety of advanced tumbling skills such as back tucks, layouts and full-twisting tumbling.”

In order to qualify for Nationals a team must impress the judges with a two and a half minute routine at the regional competition. If they win or score high enough in their division, the team earns a spot to Nationals. Despite the fact that preparation for Nationals started as soon as the team was put together, a spot is not always promised.

“Sometimes there is a misconception that we automatically get to go to Nationals, but that is so far from the truth,” Cartmill said. “In order to compete as a coed team, it takes a huge commitment and collegiate level skills. We acquire these skills through intense training and relentless pursuit of achieving excellence in order to continue the long maroon line of pride and tradition.”

Even though they made it to Nationals, all the hard work and dedication that was put in has not been forgotten.

“The hardest part was keeping everyone focused on school and practice, but it was all worth it in the end,” senior Patrick Williford said.

The National High School Cheerleading Championship will take place at Disney World in Orlando, Florida on Feb. 5-7. Teams from throughout the nation will go head to head in their two and a half minute routines to see who will take the title.

“We are honored to represent LHS with pride in both the Large Co-Ed Division and the Large Co-Ed Game Day Division,” Cartmill said.