BAHS Cheerleaders Sink Their Claws in States

Taylor Brethauer
November 14, 2014

On Nov. 12, 2014 the Bel Air Cheerleading team traveled to HCC APGFCU Arena to compete in the Maryland State Cheerleading competition. The team knew coming in that they were favored to win, but they still had a lot of work ahead of them to win a title.

“We were all really excited to be going to states and were determined to hit our best routine and see how it would go for us and hope it would lead to a state title,” said Senior Sarah Ermatinger.

The top 14 teams from around Maryland competed for the state title. Going into the competition, Bel Air knew their biggest competition this time was last year’s state champions, South River High School. The team went 10^th out of the 14 teams and the nerves were piling high as their chance to perform got closer.

“I was just ready to go out and do our best, I believed in all my teammates and just hoped we’d hit a perfect routine!” said Senior Julia Robinson.

And they did hit a perfect routine. Majority of the teams that day had dropped stunts or fell in their tumbling, but Bel Air’s performance did not have a single flaw. The team came off the mat with huge smiles on their faces.

“I felt like I had accomplished so much and put everything I had into the routine. I feel like the whole team felt the same. We performed our hearts out and our hard work really paid off,” said Junior Emily Hughes.

When awards started, the team got into their circle and held hands. There were words of encouragement about how proud they should be, no matter the score. For some, it was their last time competing with the team.

“When awards started, I was anxious to hear what the results were going to be but I was happy that I was going into awards with my team!” said Junior Madi Frommeyer.

State officials only announced the top 2 teams. When the 2^nd place team, South River, was called, the girls went silent and shocked. The announcer paused for what seemed like an unbearably long time. And then, he said it- “Your fall champions… BEL AIR.”

The crowd erupted and the girls trampled over one another, hugging and crying tears of joy. The coaches were also crying and Bobcat Nation soon made its way over to the 2014 State Champions. Some of the girls on the team won’t be cheering in the winter season, so this was their last time cheering for Bel Air for this year or even forever.

“I was so excited to make my last time on the mat with my sister worth it after all we’ve put into this routine,” said Sophomore Kaitlyn Surasky, Senior Megan Surasky’s younger sister.

Congratulations, cheerleaders! Thank you for bringing another State title back to Bel Air.

Members of the 2014 State Cheerleading Team:

Sarah Ermatinger

Ciara Wiegard

Sydney Gillis

Alexa Pross

Annie Zaborowski

Jenny Smith

Taylor Brethauer

Harley Wilson

Madi Frommeyer

Emily Hughes