“I think it wasn’t about being the champions, but being such a close and devoted team,” sophomore Hannah Willis said.
The Lady Panther cheerleaders finished their season by placing third at the state competition in Columbus on Saturday, Nov. 10.
They seemed surprised when they learned they made the top six after having a pyramid fall toward the end of their routine.
“We were really excited because we got called in to the top six, and we waited in a circle, already having an idea of how awards would be played out,” said senior Savannah Shuler, who made her fourth trip to state. That all changed when they realized they did better than sixth place.
“We were shocked when we got third. It is nearly impossible to get third at such a big competition with your pyramid completely falling,” Willis said.
Even though their pyramid fell, the girls kept a positive attitude. “I was a little upset we didn’t hit everything, but I was very thankful we got third,” junior Maddi Fultz said.
During the regular season, the Lady Panthers finished in the top two at their competitions except for the one at Peachtree Ridge High School where they placed sixth out of eight.
“One bad competition won’t take away all the good memories we have together as a team,” Shuler said. “It was the best senior year I could have asked for.”
The Lady Panthers’ hard work and determination kept them moving forward, letting nothing get in their way.
“Our team was devoted and worked really hard and we never gave up,” Fultz said.
At the end of the season the Lady Panthers were not only able to please themselves, but their coach as well.
“I was happy how we did,” head coach Mandy Burnett said. “I am hoping for a team next year that works together as well as this one did.”