Beyond the field, past the stands, flipping around, are the cheerleaders. Exciting the crowd with their numerous chants, dances, and routines, cheerleading as a whole is often overlooked. 

The countless hours of training, practice, and work that it takes for our JV and Varsity Cheer teams to get to the level they are at deserves its recognition. The numerous weekly practices both team and individual members put into the sport, are very evident in the results they show out. With practice averaging at about 6 hours a week, not including basketball and football games, these girls put in so much of their time and effort to spread not just school spirit, but school spirit for Columbus as well. 

 “ The practices allow us to be able to work on our skills, with enough time, and truly just improve overall, ” said junior Andrea San Martin, a part of the varsity cheer team. “I think if someone isn’t putting one hundred percent of their effort, it really affects the outcome of the practice itself. Honestly, the consistency allows me to be able to take all my stress and put it out on the mat.” 

The two teams have really fought their way to the top, with varsity coming in the top 4 teams at the State Championship, and JV in the top 10 at the UCA National Championship in Orlando, Florida earlier this year. This season, the varsity team has competed in many events, even placing second at a regional competition. The two teams are scheduled to keep on competing in other competitions alongside neighbor schools such as La Salle and St. Brendan High School, as well as additionally participating at Nationals in early 2023. 

“We perform very well as a team, and we always give our all in performances,” junior Isabella Guzman, J.V. cheer team member.  “I’ve always loved being able to compete because it gives me and my team a chance to showcase everything we’ve worked so hard for throughout the season. With UCA Nationals being the biggest and last competition of the season, we always strive to do the very best we can, bringing as much energy to the stage and as much pride to our school as possible. On another note, traveling as a team helps in increasing the bonds we’ve made in the past months, and I, myself, have been fortunate enough to have met some of my best friends through cheerleading”.

Truly, the girls all form a tight bond, not just on the mat, but outside as well. They really stress the importance of spreading the sisterhood that schoolprides itself on highlighting in every girl’s lives.