Wildcat cheerleaders win fifth straight competition

The Oak Harbor cheerleaders continued to roll this past weekend.

The Wildcat cheer squad won their fifth consecutive varsity team competition at the Power Athletic National Championships. They also took first and second in the 5-girl stunt competitions.

The varsity competitive team consists of Megan Stump, Kristin Acton, Kristin Loan, Tiffany Richards, Vanessa Armstrong, Kim Boon, Anna Galgana, Alicia Groberg, Megan Longland, Madison Nikkola, Lauren Jett, Lauren Acton, Cassy Cooley, Dani Boulton, Natalie Lumbo, Tiffany Bourlett, Brittany Warner, Amanda Wadinski, Jessica Gilbert, Hannah Berry, Ashley Howard, Katie Wright and Devon Shulock

In the all-day event, beginning at 7:30 a.m. and running until 11 p.m., the Wildcat cheerleaders were able to overcome a key injury late in the day.

“In the final warm-ups, one of the cheerleaders fell out of a stunt and could not perform with the squad,” head coach Pam Headridge said. “Because pyramids are dependent on everyone doing their part, the Wildcat cheerleaders had five minutes to revamp the formations and stunts to accommodate the missing person.”

Despite the injury, the Wildcats were able to overcome their obstacles without a problem.

“As I pressed the play button, I prayed that everyone would remember the changes,” Headridge said. “The next two and a half minutes I could not believe how smoothly the cheerleaders performed their routine.”

Oak Harbor will shoot for their sixth team title in a row next on March 22 when they compete at the Northwest Championships at Pacific Lutheran University. Less than a week later, the cheerleaders make their way to Anaheim, Calif. to compete in the U.S.A. Nationals.

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