March 11, 2019 at 08:16AM
"We qualified for the Ohio Association of Secondary School Administrators (OASSA) state at the Sylvania Southview Regional on Feb. 10," coach Kristie Wert said. "Squads get one chance to perform their routine to qualify and one chance at the state competition."
Senior Alyssa Faley, a self-admitted natural competitor, said "it's nice to get a win," but added that going to state for the third consecutive year is "a big accomplishment."
"Each year we try to do better than the year before," she added.
Faley, the daughter of Andrew and Melissa, has been on the competition squad for four years. As a senior cheerleader, she sees one of her roles as helping the younger team members be calm for their performances.
"It's not as scary as you think it is. If you have calm nerves, you do what you're supposed to do," Faley said.
This is senior Kristina Toczek's first year on the squad and her second overall as a NHS cheerleader. Given her experience doing dance competitions, she said she's used to performing in front of large crowds.
The Norwalk cheerleaders have a big stage for the state competition. They will perform at 9 a.m. March 10 at St. John Arena at The Ohio State University. The Edison squad performs at 8:55 a.m.
"We are competing in the Division III non-building division. There will be 20 to 25 teams at state," Wert said.
Routines are two minutes and 30 seconds long and must include a cheer and dance.
"Our routine was choreographed by our coaches — myself, Steffany Osborn and Malorie Malson," Wert said. "This is by far our best routine since we started our competition squad. Steffany and Malorie have done an amazing job with the choreography and making the most of the team's strengths. The squad really took to this routine and give as much energy as they can. It is fun to watch them perform this routine."
Osborn graduated from NHS in 2008 and Malson is a 2017 alumna. Osborn, who cheered for five years at Bowling Green State University, has assisted Wert for three years.
The cheerleaders were asked about the difference in performing for an audience instead of being energized by NHS fans at a game. Toczek and Faley said the squad receives a lot of support and encouragement from cheerleaders from other schools as well as family and friends who attend the competitions.
"It's nice to see the SBC (Sandusky Bay Conference) teams because we know the girls; it's a new way to see them," said Toczek, the daughter of Wayne and Jackie.
"We always have family (and) fans cheer for us," Faley added. "You get that extra little boost."
Going into the regional level at Sylvania Southview High School, Toczek said the squad stayed focus and "we stayed stayed pretty confident."
There are 14 cheerleaders on the team: Four seniors, three juniors, three sophomores and four freshmen.
Toczek encouraged the community to see the squad compete at OSU.
"If nobody is doing anything on the 10th, come on out and support us," she said with a smile.
Tickets for the competition are cash only. For information, go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2019-oassa-state-cheer-dance-championships-tickets-52821772343. Doors open and ticket sales begin at 7:30 a.m. March 10.
"We qualified for the Ohio Association of Secondary School Administrators (OASSA) state at the Sylvania Southview Regional on Feb. 10," coach Kristie Wert said. "Squads get one chance to perform their routine to qualify and one chance at the state competition."
Senior Alyssa Faley, a self-admitted natural competitor, said "it's nice to get a win," but added that going to state for the third consecutive year is "a big accomplishment."
"Each year we try to do better than the year before," she added.
Faley, the daughter of Andrew and Melissa, has been on the competition squad for four years. As a senior cheerleader, she sees one of her roles as helping the younger team members be calm for their performances.
"It's not as scary as you think it is. If you have calm nerves, you do what you're supposed to do," Faley said.
This is senior Kristina Toczek's first year on the squad and her second overall as a NHS cheerleader. Given her experience doing dance competitions, she said she's used to performing in front of large crowds.
The Norwalk cheerleaders have a big stage for the state competition. They will perform at 9 a.m. March 10 at St. John Arena at The Ohio State University. The Edison squad performs at 8:55 a.m.
"We are competing in the Division III non-building division. There will be 20 to 25 teams at state," Wert said.
Routines are two minutes and 30 seconds long and must include a cheer and dance.
"Our routine was choreographed by our coaches — myself, Steffany Osborn and Malorie Malson," Wert said. "This is by far our best routine since we started our competition squad. Steffany and Malorie have done an amazing job with the choreography and making the most of the team's strengths. The squad really took to this routine and give as much energy as they can. It is fun to watch them perform this routine."
Osborn graduated from NHS in 2008 and Malson is a 2017 alumna. Osborn, who cheered for five years at Bowling Green State University, has assisted Wert for three years.
The cheerleaders were asked about the difference in performing for an audience instead of being energized by NHS fans at a game. Toczek and Faley said the squad receives a lot of support and encouragement from cheerleaders from other schools as well as family and friends who attend the competitions.
"It's nice to see the SBC (Sandusky Bay Conference) teams because we know the girls; it's a new way to see them," said Toczek, the daughter of Wayne and Jackie.
"We always have family (and) fans cheer for us," Faley added. "You get that extra little boost."
Going into the regional level at Sylvania Southview High School, Toczek said the squad stayed focus and "we stayed stayed pretty confident."
There are 14 cheerleaders on the team: Four seniors, three juniors, three sophomores and four freshmen.
Toczek encouraged the community to see the squad compete at OSU.
"If nobody is doing anything on the 10th, come on out and support us," she said with a smile.
Tickets for the competition are cash only. For information, go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2019-oassa-state-cheer-dance-championships-tickets-52821772343. Doors open and ticket sales begin at 7:30 a.m. March 10.