The Oak Harbor High School cheer team torched the competition at the National Cheerleaders Association camp at the University of Washington last week.
To honor the upcoming Olympics, the theme of the camp was “Light the Fire,” and the Wildcats burned bright.
Among the many honors gathered by Oak Harbor, the Wildcats won the NCA Spirit Award, given by the other teams to the squad that is the most friendly, courteous, outgoing and spirited.
Oak Harbor’s Jember Jansen earned the Top Cheerleader of the Camp award and received All-American status. Raeanna Wynne also earned All-American recognition. The pair is now eligible to be chosen as NCA staff members after graduation.
Twenty-two Wildcats, including 16 seniors, attended camp. Over the first two days of the four-day camp, Oak Harbor collected three spirit sticks, two excellent ribbons and four superior ribbons.
On day four Oak Harbor took first in the Champion Chant category, performing a chant three times with perfection, timing, sharp motions and synchronicity.
The Wildcats also won the Game Day competition, demonstrating skills such as tumbling, jumps, rallying and cheering to get the crowd involved. This earned a bid to the NCA Nationals in Dallas.
In addition to Jansen and Wynne, 10 other Wildcats were nominated for All-American status: Elizabeth Adkins, Juliet Aspery, Chylah Bass, Jade Brown, Micaiah Davis, Jenny Landingin, Kaitlyn Marcus, Tyler O’Dell, BriAnna Quinn and Angel Williams.
All performed three jumps, tumbling skills and the camp cheer in front of the other teams and the staff members.
Davis, for the second consecutive year, was recognized by the America Needs Cheerleaders Organization with “Pay it Forward” pins. Davis received two pins as recognition for her camp efforts and interaction with other campers and was asked to give the second to another deserving cheerleader.
O’Dell received a pin from a Mark Morris cheerleader.
Oak Harbor also dominated the lighter side of the competition, winning the Olympic style relay and the staff trivia game.
Coach Robin Gohn said, “The coaching staff of Oak Harbor would like to recognize and acknowledge all the Wildcat cheerleaders for their effort, hard work, dedication and teamwork in making this such a successful camp.”
(The Oak Harbor cheer team displays its awards from camp. Bottom row, left to right: Jenny Landingin, Jadie Groebli, Racheal Balasa, Kaitlyn Marcus and Jember Jansen. Second row from bottom: Juliet Aspery, Angel Williams, Cristey Wolniakowski, Jade Brown, Ellie Williamson, Molly Murdock, Alisha Coe, Raeanna Wynne, coach Lauren Albritton and NCA staff member Andy Gault. Top: coach Robin Gohn, Chylah Bass, Tyler O’Dell, Gina Jaeger, Elizabeth Adkins, Orenda Doughty, Hailey Williamson, BriAnna Quinn, Cierra Mioduski and Micaiah Davis.)
