Tiger cheer team secures first-ever Valley title

The Wasco High School varsity cheer team competed in the California Interscholastic Federation Valley Championship and won, making history by being the first in the school ever to earn this title.

Cheer Advisor Hailey Coyle said, "I am extremely proud of the girls and coaches on this huge accomplishment. This team is so deserving of this title. It takes a lot of hard work, long practices, dedication and drive to achieve something like this. Cheer is not easy. It's not easy competing, and it's even harder to go head-to-head with 18 other talented teams. Our girls shined. They hit their routine and represented the community of Wasco so well."

Amaia Marquez, senior co-captain, said, "It feels so amazing to win Valley after all our hard work and dedication, with blood, sweat and tears put into our routine. The tough practices when a stunt isn't hitting, and you feel so unmotivated, yet you push through because at the end of the day, you're a team, and every day won't be perfect."

"The days we had to have three-hour practices and then get ready to cheer for other sports with a smile on our faces were exhausting but so worth it in the end. I'm so glad I got to experience this my senior year and end the season by starting a legacy. Stepping onto the mat was so nerve-racking I could barely feel my legs. Knowing this would be the final time we would perform this routine, all I wanted was to hit. And that's exactly what we did.

"Out of the other 18 teams, we were number one. My connection with the team was like no other; it was easy to get along with each of them. I'll miss all my Tiger babies. I'm so proud of them, and I can't wait for the next season to see them all shine."

Madison Martinez said, "The competition was mentally tough because we had never participated in the CIF competition before. This being my senior year and my first and last year on this cheer team made me even more nervous going into the competition. But thanks to our coaches, they taught us how to turn the nerves into excitement and put all of our energy into this performance; it was seriously so exciting seeing that we hit that routine. My love for this team has grown so much, and I am so proud of us."

Another cheer team member, Ava Melendrez, said, "Winning Valley is an amazing feeling. It is an experience I can never forget. Thanks to my team, winning was like a dream. I am so proud of my team and everything we have accomplished."

She added that she built lifelong friendships that will be everlasting. "My closest friends have been met through cheer. These girls are my family, and I am not sure what I would do without them; they make me confident and content with myself. I love them."

Melendrez said she appreciates the coaches. "My coaches are my at-school parents. They make sure I am always okay. My coaches always push me to improve, whether in dancing, stunting or as a person. They helped me bring out the true me, and for this, I can say thank you, Syd, Hailey and Victoria. You guys are amazing coaches and even more amazing people."

Coach Sydney Bocker said, "They are always cheering for everyone else, so it's exciting to be able to cheer for them finally. The girls are now considered section champions, just like our football team this year."

She shared a special moment from the competition, "After we performed and ran out of the gym, all of the girls were crying and hugging to show how proud they were of each other. They felt so confident in that moment that they knew that no matter the outcome, they went out there and represented their school with pride and left everything they had out there. This made me a proud coach because it showed that they truly understand the importance of teamwork and how it takes every person on the team to make the routine successful."

Coach Victoria Bernal said, "I am very excited that the girls did such a good job. Wasco's name in the cheer realm is more well-known, and our name is now on the map. I'm excited for what's to come next year and the years to follow."

Bernal believes the girls earned it. "They worked so hard all season. We had girls who had never cheered before that were moved up from JV to Varsity, so seeing their growth and commitment to this competition and this win makes me proud as a coach and very assured that they deserved the win."

Activities Director Joshua Huddleston expressed his joy, "The Wasco cheer team makes us proud every time they put on the uniforms. I'm beyond proud of the cheerleaders and coaches. It was a lot of fun to see them show the entire section what they can do, and it was great to see them experience the reward of all their hard work and dedication."

Principal Rusvel Prado, added, "We are incredibly proud of our Wasco High School cheerleading team for their remarkable achievement in winning the first-ever Valley Championship in cheerleading. This accomplishment is a testament to their dedication, hard work and Tiger spirit. This remarkable achievement is undoubtedly something that the cheerleaders, coaches and the entire community can take great pride in ...well done to the ladies, coaches and parents. It's a great day to be a Tiger."