With the tryouts for the 2024-25 school year recently completed and all eyes looking toward the future, one should not lose sight of what the Aledo cheer program was able to accomplish this past season.
The varsity and junior varsity teams both participated in the National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) Nationals competition in January and coach Sarah Burk said both teams exceeded her expectations going in.
"Each team went out and did their very best at NCA," Burk said. "I am so proud of each and every cheerleader and the way they have worked together all season to achieve a unified goal. I am so happy that all the hard work and effort these girls put in all season showed in their performances and they got to see that pay off."
Aledo took fifth place in varsity and first place in the junior varsity/freshmen competition at the NCA Nationals, and Burk said the teams literally accomplished their objectives going in.
"We met the goals I had for both teams,” Burk said. “I was hoping to place top five for my varsity and win for my JV."
The Bearcats cheer team also won the Best Use of Props Award in both competitions Aledo competed in, and Burk said this is an area where her teams do a lot of prep work.
"We strategically use signs, megaphones, poms and flags throughout the routine to enhance the crowd-leading aspect of our routine,” Burk said. “It is a part of the scoresheet, so we do our best to maximize the points in all categories on the scoresheet."
Even more impressive, perhaps, is that this is the first year for AHS cheer to compete at the junior varsity level.
Senior Captain Daniella Tregellas said the 2023-24 season is one that she will never forget.
"I was blown away by how much our team accomplished this year,” Tregellas said. “With the varsity team, we placed top five in the state and received a Best-in-Crowd-leading award that no one else in Aledo cheer has ever earned. The varsity team struggled through many challenges this year, but we had each other's back through it all.
“This is the first year that we have had a JV team competing and they improved so much as the year went on. It was so rewarding for them to win Nationals knowing that all of the hard work that they put in was worth it.
"Overall, I am beyond proud of what each team put on the mat and accomplished this year because it showed all of the work that we put in."
Tregellas was a Texas Girls Coaches Association all-state selection, as well as an academic all-state selection, and teammates Chloe Wilson, Ava Schmitz, Alex Saenz, Ivana Cutaia, Taylor Prestage, Ashlyn Neeley, Lilly Wilson and Maryn Ward all earned academic all-state honors this past season as well.
Reflecting on her time at Aledo, Tregellas said her biggest takeaway is the relationships she has developed throughout the years.
"I will remember the girls that I have been surrounded by during my time with AHS Cheer,” Tregellas said. “I can remember the girls who were leaders from my freshman year until my senior year. Every girl that I have been on the mat or cheered with has made such an impact on my life, and we have created a bond that can't be broken.
“I have also been allowed to work with girls at the middle school through elementary school level and it is so amazing to see so much improvement in Aledo cheer. Every single girl that I have worked with holds a special place in my heart."
Burk hopes is that her student-athletes come to understand how the right attitude and approach in life transcends sports
"I instill in these athletes our core values to be successful on and off the mat,” Burk said. “These cheerleaders have seen that their attitude, effort and discipline are worth the work in all aspects of their lives."
Photos provided b Chelsey Horne
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