JOE’S NOTES
“Lucky 7’s”
Wow! Winning 7 out of 8 individual and 7 out of 8 cheer National Titles was awesome! Can you believe 14 National titles at one event? Our dance teams both finishing 2nd was outstanding and they are just beginning their season. Can you imagine what they will look like this time next year?
What a weekend! It was amazing, exciting, inspirational, emotional and a little sad. There was definitely something for everyone. I am so proud of the performances of every Panther, parent and staff member! It is a great way to end the season.
As I look at the pictures that Steve Pelts has so generously provided, I see the excitement the kids and parents. The memories begin to rush through my mind as I re-live all that happened.
What about those Individuals?? I was almost embarrassed when EVERY trophy was going to an ALLSTAR Panther. Almost embarrassed but not quite…I was PROUD! I was proud of every one of our kids. It takes a lot of guts to get up in front of a crowd, all alone, and perform. They train hard and I admire their effort! A special congratulations to our National Champions: Megan Fadem, Caitlin Loudy, Bella Smith, Taylor Wright, Brie Bell, Erin Muller and my little girl, Rebe Johnson! Through Rebe’s career, she has won 9 Individual National Titles! We are all very proud of the honor that you have brought to the Panthers for the past 9 years…I love you!
The Peewees finally put it all together…two days in a row! The timing was awesome; they were sharp, energetic and cute. It was obvious that the judges loved them! It’s been a few years since we had a Peewee squad and all of you made it a great year! I am so proud of JJ, Rebe, Laura and Lauren for really working them into a real competitive squad…great job girls!
Youth Red…the judges loved you in Chattanooga but they really loved you in Orlando! You guys have come so far and were fun to watch. You dealt with all the routine changes and performed like you had that same routine all year! You hit it hard both days and the competition never had a chance! Great job Jamie, Rebe, Megan and Laura!
Youth Black…FINALLY!! We just wanted to beat somebody before the season was over and we certainly did that! This was the FIRST youth advanced National Title in ALLSTAR history. We have had some very strong squads and some 2nd place finishes but never a National Title until now. I am so proud of you! The Gators had beaten us twice, at CheerSport and Chattanooga and for those of you not familiar; Stars Cheer Elite is one of the finest youth programs in the nation! It was a great accomplishment and honor. Not bad for a squad that we just put together in December!
Junior Red…what can I say. I have never seen a squad come so far in one season. You all hung in there and worked so hard. We were all pulling for you to hang on to that first place spot and you did! National Champions! I have never seen a coach more proud than Scott. He denies it but I have it on good authority that he slept with the trophy and used the National Champion banner as a blanket Sunday night! Way to go girls…I’m so proud of you!
Junior White…it was going to be very tough to beat Ohio. They, by their own admission, are an advanced team but they compete at US Spirit as intermediate. It was like competing against Junior Black. What a year, from the lowest score at CheerSport Regionals to 7th at the Nationals, (the only Panther squad to break 900 points!), to 5th in Chattanooga, to 3rd at US Spirit! Your scores and results improved every time you took the floor! You gave it your best in Orlando. You did not give up and I am very proud of all of you!
Junior Black…Super Sized…WOW! The routine of the day on Sunday, you guys were awesome. It was truly an inspired performance and probably the highest score of the day. You had that entire arena into it and on their feet when the “slingshot” hit! I am so proud of how you finished your season. Dallas 3rd, UCA 4th, US Spirit…National Champions! You beat a very solid squad. Indiana Cheer Elite was very strong; triple downs, triple fulls and basket doubles! You had to hit it both days to win and you did! I am so proud of all of you!
Large Senior…TV Stars! What a way to end your year. Featured on The Today Show and National Champions… it just doesn’t get any better than that! I am so proud of this squad and what you pulled together. You are all so entertaining to watch. You had the entire warm up room watching you on Sunday. What power! Ohio wanted to beat you so bad and you just refused to let them. A 41 point lead after the first day is just amazing! All of you gave Erin, Lauren, Caitrin, Emily and Allie a wonderful memory of their senior year and I’m so proud of you…way to go girls!
Senior Open…what a year! You guys NEVER gave up. We had to start the year without Rebe and we didn’t have a full squad. The pounding we took at CheerSport, the illness in Dallas, the weird scoring at UCA, even though 6th place is nothing to sneeze at, and then a blow out at US Spirit! From tumbling to stunting, the most talented squad in the competition! I am so proud of you! You all made this a wonderful senior year for Katherine, Kimmie, Andrea, Megan and Rebe. You got the National Title you deserved and I am so proud of you!
Orlando was a great trip. Thank you to the Booster Officers and all of the Team Moms… you are the BEST! Thanks to all of the staff and coaches for producing such amazing results! Parents, you all did a great job following the schedule and making great crowd noise! We’re all tired and looking forward to a couple of weeks of down time before it all starts again! I am expecting our largest tryout yet. I am very grateful for this year but really excited about next season! I look forward to seeing everyone at the banquet on the 13th.
Go Panthers,
Joe