The Goodpasture Varsity Cheerleading team and Marching Band went to Cheer Nationals in Orlando, Florida, from Feb. 6-10.
They competed in the Gameday Live division, where the band and cheer team performed together. They placed fourth overall.
“I’m so proud of this team and the progress we have made, and I’m so happy we got 4th place,” senior cheerleader Addie Rose McClellan said.
Additionally, the band competed in a Pep Band division in which they placed third.
“Game Day Live was more than just a competition—it was a journey of community, teamwork, and growth. Through hard work and developing strong relationships, there was an experience created that is both challenging and unforgettable. Win or lose, we have created a stronger community and memories for a lifetime. My hope is that this experience will have created a newfound sense of pride in our spirit programs and in our school community.” band director Nathan Belcher said.
The cheerleaders received their choreography for Nationals in June, practiced all summer, started their competition season in October, and competitions just now ended in February, making lots of room for progress throughout that time.
On the first full day, they practiced on the famous Allstar Sports football field and ended the day at Animal Kingdom. The next day was the day of the big competition. The band competed in their pep band division early in the morning and the game day live division at night, with awards following. The following day was filled with park hopping and team bonding.
“I loved experiencing nationals with the band,” senior Sarah Carver Stated.
It was the first time in Goodpasture history to partake in the Gameday Live division.
“The Varsity Cheerleaders and the Marching Cougars joined forces this year and competed at the National High School Cheer Championships in Orlando, FL, in the Game Day Live division. This division requires the cheerleaders and band to both be on the competition floor for a five-minute routine. The two groups started working together during the school year to create a performance that demonstrated all aspects of school spirit. This was the first time for Goodpasture to compete in the Game Day Live division. Both groups performed at a high level and finished 4th in our division. We are thankful for the opportunity this year to perform together and are proud of their efforts to make our fans proud to be Cougars!” cheer coach Brandy McWilliams said.
Last year, the team didn’t even go to Nationals, making this year very vital.
The cheer team flew together to the Tampa Flordia airport, and the band had to ride on the bus because of their instruments. It was a twelve-hour drive for them.
The Goodpasture 2024-2025 competition season is over until next year.
