Darius Davila | Staff Writer

Johnson cheerleaders are back at it again, continuing their tradition of going to state, and returning with a first place trophy.

“I believe this is Johnson’s fourth year winning first place,” varsity cheerleader Briana Crigger said.

However, it’s not just varsity that has found success in state cheerleading competitions.

“Every time we go to state it is always held at Texas State University, and there are judges and certain divisions. Each team gets eliminated one by one and awards are given after; JV won second place last year and fourth place this year,” JV cheerleader Kaleigh Horner said.

Despite the nervousness that comes with being on stage, cheerleaders enjoy competing in front of a live audience.

“You get pretty nervous but once you see everyone it’s an adrenaline rush and I think it helps me jump higher and tumble better,” Crigger said.

Winning state has its benefits, more than just a trophy and bragging rights.

“Winning state is something you can put on your college application where it asks for awards won, I make sure I put that on there,” Crigger said.

The Johnson cheerleaders will also be competing in nationals next week.

“We will be competing in Orlando, Florida in the Disney World park, and compete two to three times depending on if we go through to finals,” JV cheerleader Hannah Held said.

Competing in nationals is an overall good and learning experience for some cheerleaders.

“It’s really fun, because everyone knows us for our cheer even the out of state teams. Like when we walk by they’ll say ‘oh no it’s Johnson’. A lot of the teams are really nice, but the competition is pretty cut throat because we are going up against the best teams in the country,” Held said. “We’re hoping to place top five for sure, we got fifth place last year. Cheerleading can be so exhausting, sometimes i’d rather run the mile than do a two and a half minute routine. It is such a team sport because if you mess up it affects the whole team, but it is rewarding because the day after we get to go to Disney World. So thats always my motivation when practice is tough.”