On Saturday, November 11, the NDB Varsity Cheer team participated in their first competition of the season. The event kicked off the team’s journey down the road to Cheer Nationals 2024.

Last May, with their new Head Coach Morgan Craig and a revitalized program, the team held tryouts. Accepted members began practicing during the first week of June and continued throughout the summer.

In late July, the team attended the United Spirit Association’s annual overnight skill-building camp in Santa Clara. Although it was mostly a new team with only five returning varsity members, everyone pushed through and used the training to their advantage.

In the beginning of August, choreography began. Craig has been a choreographer throughout his whole coaching career. His expertise has allowed the cheer team to rely on him as their sole choreographer, which is new as of this season.

Sophomore Nikki Guinasso, returning Varsity member, helped lead the team when preparing for and during the competition.

“The team took from the competition a well-learned lesson about how to leave nerves and adrenaline off the mat,” Guinasso shared. “I am proud of our team for pulling it together and pushing through despite the hiccups.”

With sparkly, new competition uniforms and smiles of pride, the team traveled to Fair Oaks, where the competition took place in the Del Campo HS gym. The team placed sixth, yet the two hour long trek was worth it as the team qualified for Nationals.

The girls are looking forward to their trip to Nationals in February and their upcoming regional competitions. Their next competition on December 9 takes place in Union City at James Logan HS. The team is tweaking the routine with the hope to score higher.

Although it was the first competition, the new members are now aware of what to expect for the coming performances and have a bid to Nationals.