Cheer team aims for top spot at state, prepares for nationals

Cheer team members are, front row, from left, Ember Ogden, Evie Hostetter and Hannah Siemenski. Middle row, from left, are Ava Padua, Velvet Smith, Ashlynn Beebe, Emma Lehr, Emmalin Rosa and Peyton Lindsey. Back row, from left, are Abby Foss, Hannah Miser, Rebecca Hindman, Grace Gardner, Taylee Rosa, Katriona Harris and Natalie Conn. Not pictured is Joseph Jazmin. Photo by Kristine Banker

The Sweet Home Huskies competition cheer team have kicked off a challenging season, with big goals and even bigger routines.

The team, led by Coach Amber Rosa, features 16 athletes competing in their game day routine and 13 in their traditional routine.

This year’s theme, inspired by the 80s and 90s jazzercise craze, brings a unique blend of nostalgia and energy to the Huskies’ traditional routine. “The routine is fun and nostalgic but also difficult and packed full of some really impressive skills, which makes it really fun to watch,” Rosa said.

The Huskies have their sights set on breaking a four-year streak of second-place finishes at state and claiming the top spot at the OSAA state championships Feb. 14-15 at Oregon City HIgh School.

“This group is hungry and fighting hard to grab that top spot,” Rosa said. “They know that winning in our division will require a huge amount of work and commitment, but that’s what they want, and they are willing to put in the work to get there.”

Members of the team are: seniors Abygail Foss and Peyton Lindsey; juniors Natalie Conn, Katriona Harris, Joseph Jazmin and Hannah Miser; sophomores Ashlynn Beebe, Ember Ogden and Hannah Sieminski; and freshmen Grace Gardner, Rebecca Hindman, Emma Lehr, Ava Padua, Emmalin Rosa, Taylee Rosa and Velvet Smith.

Ogden placed third as an individual in the 4A Division competition in October at the Oregon Cheer Coaches Association All State Championships, and Sieminski was fourth, both named to the All-State Team.

For the first time, Sweet Home will also compete at JAMZ Spirit Nationals in Las Vegas. While they traditionally attend USA Nationals in Anaheim, this year’s scheduling conflict with the state competition prompted the switch.

“It’s been fun and challenging to learn a new scoresheet and prepare for that event, but it’s exciting too,” Rosa said. “We feel prepared and are working hard to earn a banner there.”

The Huskies are also gearing up for their biggest home competition yet, the Sweet Home Cheer Classic, set for Saturday, Jan. 18. After a smaller turnout last year due to an ice storm, entries for this year have nearly doubled. “We are excited and gearing up for our largest event yet!” Rosa said.

Performances on Saturday start at 9 a.m. and are expected to run into the early evening in the high school Main Gym. Sweet Home teams will compete in each of four sessions, which will total out to 98 performances. Sweet Home club teams will perform during the first half of the day and the high school team will perform twice during the second half.

“It’s our largest event ever,” Rosa said. “It’s our biggest fundraiser of the year.”

Proceeds from the competition will help send the team to the Jamz Nationals on Jan. 23.

With a mix of determination, talent, and a standout routine, these Huskies are ready to make their mark this season.Though the team is young, Rosa is confident in their ability to rise to the occasion.

“They are talented, hardworking, and have a fight in them we’ve been missing the last few years,” she said. “Regardless of how it all plays out in February, I am confident they will put on one heck of a show.”

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