By Jolene Martinez, The View

The freshman class is excited for its first Showdown experience. They’ve heard the stories, but don’t know what to expect.

The rumble of the marching band reverberating through the halls was enough to know Showdown had begun. The vibrations from the drums and yells of the students echoed like an earthquake of school spirit.

As the band neared the empty commons, with students following in mass, one chant could be heard above the cheers: “C.V.H.S. Go, Sabercats, go!”

Once in the gym, the stands swarmed with the colors representing the different grade levels for Showdown 2014: white for freshmen, gold for sophomores, red for juniors and black for seniors.

“I am excited because the sophomores are gonna beat the freshmen,” sophomore Janie Love said. “I think sophomores will win and I think juniors will win. I like winning.”

Love’s prediction came true: The winners of the Sept. 12 event were sophomores and, for the first time, juniors.

Once the games began, it was clear school spirit would not end anytime soon. Event by event, classes competed, won and lost. And once winners received their trophies, students ran down the stands and congregated excitedly in the center of the floor. Cheers and chanting echoed through the gym.

Sophomores and juniors left with big smiles and their pride high.

“It’s sad that this is my last year,” senior Alyvia Hildebrand said, “but it’s still fun.”