BAHS Takes First in Invitational
October 23, 2014
Friday, Oct. 17 marked the beginning of set up for Bel Air’s first-ever cheerleading competition. The Varsity cheerleaders placed the mats in the center of the gym and decorated it to make the teams feel welcomed. The next day, over 800 fans and cheerleaders packed the bleachers.
“We had to make posters, clean up the gym, lay out the mats, set up the judges’ tables. Luckily, we had a lot of volunteers to help. There was a lot of work that went into it,” Senior Ciara Wiegard said.
Early the next morning, the cheerleaders got ready along with welcoming teams from all over Maryland to Bel Air High School. Teams included Long Reach Lightning and Atholton Raiders from Howard County, Liberty Lions from Carroll County, Rising Sun Tigers and North East Indians from Cecil County, Oakdale Bears from Frederick County, Perry Hall Gators from Baltimore County, and local schools from Harford County like John Carroll Patriots, Fallston Cougars, Patterson Mill Huskies, and CM Wright Mustangs. Family and fans from all schools headed to the gym when doors opened at 11 a.m. The biggest fan base was definitely the Bobcat Nation.
“It was a lot of fun meeting new teams and seeing all the talent everyone brought,” Sophomore Morgan Cooper said. “It was great seeing our classmates, parents, and faculty members come together and show pride in their high school cheerleaders.”
Coach Joffee and the cheerleaders have been wanting to have a competition at the school for a while and it was exciting to finally put one on and make the school proud. By having it at the school, it was a new experience that everyone really enjoyed.
“Unlike other sports, cheerleading doesn’t have ‘home’ games, until now. It was a nice change that I would want to have happen again,” Captain Andrea Mullin said.
JV received 1st place along with Varsity. Unfortunately, the Invitational was the last competition of the season for JV. Because Counties is now including Cecil County (thus making it UCBACs), JV is no longer competing. Varsity will move on to UCBAC, competing for the top 3 from Harford County.
“As a cheer team we are practicing continuously and finding little things wrong with our routine that we fix in the most efficient way. We have a goal set that we really want to achieve and to do that we have to stick together as a team,” said Junior Taylor Layman.
UCBAC will be at HCC’s APGFCU Arena on Wednesday, Oct. 29. Doors open at 5 p.m and the competition begins at 6 p.m. Hope to see you there!
