The Oak Harbor High School cheer squad continued its successful ways by dominating the competition at National Cheerleaders Association Cheer Camp at the University of Washington last week.
The strong showing earned the Wildcats a bid to the NCA nationals in Dallas.
Oak Harbor head coach Robin Gohn said, “Throughout the four, long days of learning chants, cheers, dances and stunts, the Wildcats proved that hard work does pay off.”
When attempting to summarize the Wildcats’ numerous awards at the camp of 15 teams and over 400 cheerleaders, Gohn said, “I don’t even know where to begin.”
First, Oak Harbor won the Champion Chant Division by perfectly performing a chant three times through.
Gohn said, “Concentration, mental toughness, sharpness and precision were key to this success.”
Second, the Wildcats received the Herkie Award, which exemplifies the qualities upon which the NCA was founded.
Gohn said her team earned this honor by showing “true team spirit, unity, values and leadership throughout the week.”
Third, Oak Harbor re-ceived the Spirit Stick Award each day of camp, a rare accomplishment, according to Gohn.
She said this “proves that the team worked together throughout the camp and overcame any obstacles that were thrown their way — proof of a solid team.”
Individual members of the Oak Harbor squad also earned awards.
Eleven Wildcats were nominated for All-American status and six were selected: Elizabeth Adkins, Jember Jansen, Kaitlyn Marcus, Jillian White, Rebecca White and Raeanna Wynne.
Adkins also received the Leadership Award, which is presented to an individual who has completed the 2011 Captains’ Leadership Program and exemplifies the strongest leadership qualities throughout the camp.
Gohn said, “Lizzie has proven herself time and time again to be a superb leader, captain and excellent example of a Wildcat cheerleader.”
Micaiah Davis received the “Pin it Forward” Award for leadership, spirit, kindness and motivation.
She later received two similar pins and was asked to give the second to another deserving cheerleader from a different team who possessed the same qualities. Davis chose to “pin it forward” to an Olympic High School cheerleader.
White received a “Pin it Forward” pin from a cheerleader from another school for the second year in a row.
Gohn said the coaching staff is proud of the team’s “dedication and accomplishments during camp.”
She added that it was “a pleasure” to watch them represent the high school “in such a positive and spirited manner.”
In other Wildcat cheer news, the team held a clinic July 30 to teach skills and techniques to the young cheerleaders of the community. The ‘Cats taught chants, jumps, stunts and a dance that they and the youngsters will perform together at halftime of the high school football game against Mount Vernon Oct. 7.
