The MHS cheer squad practices almost year around, sometimes six days a week. They bring spirit to their classmates and fellow athletes at local sporting events and are also well recognized as a tough team to beat at competitions. And, as fall sports wind down, the 28-member team is gearing up for its competition season.
"Some people don't recognize it as a sport, but it takes a lot of work and a lot of hours," senior and one of the three cheer captains, Cassie Adamson, said.
 Members of the Montrose High School cheerleading squad support the Indian football team as they take the field before the start of the MHS— Fruita game last Friday night Oct. 23. (William Woody / Daily PRess) Advertisement |
With tryouts in April, and only the month of May off, the women, and yes, men, of the Montrose cheer squad spend several hours each evening going over stunts and routines, practicing cheers and motions, as well as condition, as their movements on the floor and along the sidelines takes strong lungs and an in-shape body.
The team's first chance to shine — if they are ready, said coach Sharon Bacus — will be in Glenwood Spring on Nov. 13.
"The routine is only 2 minutes 30 seconds, but they are tumbling, jumping and yelling. It's hard work," Bacus said.
Bacus has been coaching the MHS team with her husband, Tom, for 11 years, nine as head coaches. They also have help from former MHS cheerleader Sarah England.
The team has 26 on the squad, three of which are men, and two alternates. During competitions, only 25 are allowed on the floor. Because there are men on the team, the squad competes against other coed teams across the state in the 5A division. Other Montrose sports teams compete in class 4A. Being in class 5A, the MHS cheer team takes on larger Denver and Colorado Springs schools.
These schools can have several men on their teams, bringing strength that allows them to do advance stunts and therefore, bring a higher and tougher level to the competition, Adamson said.
However, most of these teams the Montrose squad will not see until the state competition on Dec. 14 at the Denver Coliseum. And when they meet, these eastern Colorado teams will have a half dozen more competitions under their belt than Montrose, Bacus said.
But this has never deterred the MHS cheer squad. In 2008, the squad took second place among more than 30 teams in their class.
"It is the best feeling in the world after working so hard all year," Adamson said. "When you hear your name called, it doesn't compare to anything."
In 2002, the MHS squad took first place at state.
"We've also had third and fourths — we've been up there," Bacus said.
This year's squad is young, with only a handful of returning cheerleaders. One of the biggest challenges is "being a team and taking it serious," cheer captain and senior Saige Hussong said.
"You have to rework and reteach everything."
The team's most important event will be on Nov. 21 in Grand Junction for the regional competition, which will decide if they head to state.
"It takes only one thing to mess it all up and take away what we've worked so hard for," Adamson said.
At competitions, the squad is judged on their overall routine, tumbling, stunts, motion, cheers, voice, spirit and appearance. One foot out of place, one wrong move, one drop, all could be lost.
However, competition is still the squad's favorite, Bacus said, because its all about them. It's a time to shine and strut the hard work and dedication they've put in all year.
"They love the football teams, but they love competition — that's the goal," Bacus said.
TimmieSue wrote on Nov 2, 2009 1:01 AM:
marie FROM MONTROSE wrote on Nov 1, 2009 5:52 PM: