Winter Cheer Preview

Caitlyn Magee

Now that fall cheer season has come to a close, and basketball season is on the rise, the Bel Air Winter Cheerleading Team is ready to jump into action. Last winter season, the cheer team went all the way to states placing second at UCBACCs, fifth at Regionals, and finished off the season placing fifth at States. This season the girls continue to race after the title of State Champions as they succeeded to grasp in 2014.

Some of the key returning members include seniors Sydney Gillis, Maddie Winkler, Mary Kate Buelow and Megan Stocum, juniors Camden Creighton, Abby Slater, Alexis Webster, Lydia Deweese and Olivia Benton, and freshmen Alex Cashman, Riley Kenney, and Grace Lorenz.

Some key newcomers, who are ready to make an impact on the team, are freshmen Lauren Laroche and Maddie Humes, and sophomores Carmen Davenport and Caitlyn Magee. These underclassmen are ready to rise to the challenge at the varsity level and help Bel Air Winter Cheer succeed this season.

“After not placing where we wanted at states in the fall, the team has set the bar higher than ever and we are all ready to put the commitment and hard work in to exceed our goals this season.” Junior Lydia Deweese says. “Every girl on the team has something unique and special to bring to the team that will take us to the top. This is our season!”

Coach Karen Sobka, Coach Allison Benfield, and Coach Jessica Groom have coached the team for multiple years and ever since winning the championship title in 2014, they have been hungry to climb their way back to the top. They are all very experienced coaches and know what a winning team looks like. They will give the girls everything it takes to pull off win after win this season.

“I have high hopes for this season and expect great success.” Coach Allison Benfield states. “I’m very excited to see the accomplishments the girls reach and watch our cheerleaders grow as athletes, teammates and people.”

The coaches and girls are ready to work hard throughout the season to prepare themselves for their many competitions. The first invitational will be on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017.