BY PETE MOHR | FEBRUARY 2, 2011

Cheer vying for 6th straight! “Spirit Line” out to regain title

cshs varisty pom“All They’re (Gonna) do is Dance!” … at Saturday’s A.I.A. “Spirit Line Championships.” Varsity Pom (back, l-r) Jessica Rohm (FR), Lexie Janke (SR), Jordan Gunning (FR), Emily Johnson (SR), Taylor Gommels (FR), Co-Captain Kaitlyn Propp (SR), Jacqueline Viar (SO), Jordan Pfaff (JR), Krista Goldsmith (SO); (front, l and r) Corissa Coe (JR), Co-Captain Sedona Risz (SR). 
Courtesy photo by Cindy Knuteson



CSHS – If you want to treat yourself to an upbeat afternoon and evening like no other, head on up to this Saturday’s Arizona Inter-scholastic Association’s “Spirit Line Championships” at Tim’s Toyota Center in Prescott Valley.

Only an hour-and-a-half drive – you can leave as late as 2 p.m. and still make the first of Cactus Shadows’ three competition performances: the five-member Stunt Team at 3:45 p.m., followed by Competition Cheer at approximately 5:30 p.m., then Pom roughly one hour later. Awards ceremonies end the day at 9 p.m.

Cheer will be seeking their unprecedented sixth consecutive State Championship! Pom and Stunt are determined to win back their State Championships captured by (Tucson) Sabino in 2010. In scoring to determine the combined “Spirit Line” State Champion, Cheer and Pom each account for 35 percent, with Stunt close behind at 30 percent.

“Stunting” (basically acrobatic routines) for the Lady Falcons on Saturday will be Cierra Stewart (SR), Brittany Nagy (SR), Breana Baker (JR), Shea Lowry (SO) and Brooke Cuff (FR). Pressure? Stunt Team is allowed one minute for their competition performance!

And it doesn’t get any easier for Spirit Line and Cheer Head Coach Rika Cuff’s 28-member squad and for Head Pom Coach Cindy Knuteson’s “Talented Ten.” Pom dances for two minutes, while Cheer is allotted a whopping 2 1/2 minutes. See, there are no “time outs,” no “do-overs” in competition Cheer, Pom and Stunt. One mistake (after countless practice hours) and you’re done. See ya’ next February.

Coach Cuff, succinctly to Sonoran News: “We’re ready – physically and mentally.” Likewise, Coach Knuteson: “My girls are an amazing group! They’ve been together since last June, practicing six times each week. I’m confident they’ll give their very best.”

Win or lose, this writer congratulates your coaches, each of you and your supportive parents for your dedication and commitment. Ladies, come Saturday, I’ll be right there proudly rooting for you. Good luck!