Keila Kuntz –

CV Student Media –  

As  probably imagined, living up to a previous state title can be pretty nerve racking. All the other cheer teams are expecting excellence and with new team members, countless injuries, and an overall harder routine than the last, it can make it pretty hard to meet that expectation. However, on December 12, 2015 Castle View Varsity Co-Ed proved to all of Colorado that nothing is impossible even with extreme limitations. “The best feeling in the world is knowing all of our hard work paid off. We all wanted to give up at one point or another throughout our season but all fought until the end and it was insane seeing and feeling ourselves do so well,” says Lindsay Alfano ‘17. “Literal blood sweat and tears came from each one of us and our coaches.” says Alfano.

Although the cheer program will lose a couple seniors next year, winning state has inspired and motivated younger athletes to come back for next season. “The hundreds of hours of practice, the sweat, and the pain were worth winning state because now i’m more driven to come back and for an even harder season next year.” says Lauren Jung ‘18.

For Senior Olivia Pittman, it’s bittersweet having finished her last high school state competition. “Being a four year varsity member, it’s tough to leave a program that has consumed most of my high school time. The team and I were very emotional at state knowing this was one of our last performances together,” says Pittman ‘16. But through the emotions about leaving, she reflects on her experience as a CV cheerleader as positive. “It’s hard to know I am leaving my amazing coaches and all the athletes who have made my experience as a CV cheerleader quite joyful. It’s for sure going to be different not having to go to cheer practice everyday once I leave.” says Pittman ‘16.

For some Athletes, the nerves don’t set in until closer to competition time. “The anticipation didn’t set in until I actually stepped in the Denver Coliseum for the second time in my cheer career. But winning for the second time feels as though I made my family and friends proud and impressed the world.” says Riley Chase ‘17.