The Azle Cheer and Hornet Muscle Team traveled to Orlando, Florida during Feb. 7-12 to compete in the UCA National High School Cheer Championships.
    After winning the Cheerleading State Championships on Jan. 17, the cheerleading teams have been preparing a varsity and junior varsity game day routine as well as a performance routine.
     “We prepared for nationals by working as hard as we could in practice,” sophomore Macee Peterson said. “My teammates and I used our determination and skill to compete at the best of our ability.”
     All three cheerleading teams, led by Head Coach Melissa McPherson, Amanda Cowan, and Guest Coach Jessica McPherson, competed at Walt Disney World’s ESPN Sports Center.
    “We have one of the best coaching staffs possible,” senior Captain Brooke Creacy said. “They all have different approaches to the way they coach, but it creates a dynamic that pushes us in a different way.”
     Following three days of intense competition, the junior varsity team placed second in the game day category. Varsity placed third in the game day category.
      “Although our teams didn’t place as high as we had wished, we were still thankful for the opportunity and held our heads high,” Creacy said.
      After the competitions were over, the teams were able to enjoy two days at the four Disney parks: Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and Epcot.
       “After a stressful competition season, it was so much fun to hang out with my friends,” Peterson said. “Although we were exhausted, we made the most of every minute we had and we loved the experience that Walt Disney World gave us.”
       The Azle Cheer teams and coaches are very grateful to the AHS and AISD administration for giving them the opportunity to travel and compete.
      “It was a wonderful opportunity to be able to compete against the best cheer programs from across the country,” Coach McPherson said. “I could not be more pleased with the performances; they gave it their best. Thank you to the Azle administration and school board for supporting our program and allowing Azle Cheer to compete at this elite level of competition. Additionally, a special thank you to Mrs. Feller for escorting our team in Orlando.”