Oak Harbor’s Jansen leads cheer team at Juanita competition

Oak Harbor High School freshman Jember Jansen took top individual honors at the Juanita High School cheer competition Jan. 16.

Oak Harbor High School freshman Jember Jansen took top individual honors at the Juanita High School cheer competition Jan. 16.

In addition to Jansen’s win, the Wildcats earned three second-place medals.

Jansen teamed with Josh Higbee to take second in the co-ed partner stunt competition, TracyAnne Vessels was second to Jansen in the individual category and the OHHS team placed second in the co-ed squad division.

Jansen’s winning routine was “full of precise jumps, tumbling and dance skills that resulted in the high score for the individual category,” according to coach Robin Gohn.

Gohn said the performance of Jansen and Higbee was “the show stopper of the competition.” She added it was “a self-choreographed routine filled with difficult partner stunts, showmanship and dancing that brought the crowd to their feet.” The pair finished in second place to a technically strong routine by the co-ed pair from Heritage High School.

The Oak Harbor co-ed squad “had a few missed stunts,” according to Gohn, which resulted in the second place finish.

Gohn said, “In true Wildcat spirit, (the team members) are ready to continue their hard work and are setting their sights on USA Nationals in March.”