The PCC cheerleading squad just brought home one of the prestigious awards in the program’s history.
PCC placed 2nd overall in the Intermediate Small Coed Open Division in Daytona, FL with a total performance score of 92.31.
PCC Cheer coach Shae Napier was walking to lunch with her student athletes when she received the score sheets from day one prelims, before finals. They placed in the top three, next to a prestigious school with a long-time winning record.
“The kids went wild, and you could just see their faces light up and that look of we got this. We can do this, and we are ready to represent Pratt again on that National stage for finals tomorrow.”
Their enthusiasm was on fire after the finals competitions. They listened to the finals results together on the beach as they were announced virtually, starting with #9, working up to the top three.
“They called 4th and you could just feel the tension, the excitement, the uneasy feeling of what's next. Then they called #3 and it was everything the team could do to keep from bursting out in excitement because at that point, they knew they had just placed top two in the nation. They called runner up and as you can imagine there was an outburst of excitement, screaming, crying etc.”
Coach Napier described what it took to get there, for herself and for her athletes.
“Relentless determination and drive through the physical and mental pain, even when the goal seems out of reach. Pushing through the tough days. It takes a special group to operate at this level all season and this team had its rough moments but put in the work even when they didn't feel like it and it paid off. They are one of the few teams that get to experience what it's like to place on the national stage. The feeling is indescribable, and the enjoyment is incomparable.”
The team’s outstanding performances at Regional and National competitions this year have fueled the fire and legacy of the Cheer program at PCC going forward.
Read Coach Napier’s full interview on PCC’s own athletics website GoBeaverSports.com.
