Friday, Feb. 20, the Auburn Bulldog cheerleaders captured the Class C-1 non-tumbling/ non-building category at the Nebraska State Cheer and Dance Championships.
Thoughts From Coach Joellen Hamann “We had 18 girls take the mat this year for state, seven of whom were new girls who had never run on to the blue mat before. They worked so hard this year for redemption, after a second place finish last year. The squad was led by four senior captains: Cammie Hamann, Jaidyn Glathar, Katie Harris and Lucia Campbell. These seniors were the core to our team, leading in practice and in practices throughout the week. They demanded excellence of each other and their teammates, which is truly needed to be successful at state. The other senior this year was a “newbie” to the squad after transferring in from Weeping Water, Skylar Reiman. Juniors include: Penelope Campbell, Ava Krause, Tayla Jones, Delaney Stahl, Presley Nichols and Valerie Ninneman. These juniors have excellent leadership qualities, and I know the squad will only benefit from them leading next year. Sophomores include two newbies to state: Lucy Christiansen and Emma Feilen. Next come the five freshmen, who added so much to this squad. I have never had a group of freshmen work as hard as this group: Grace Snyder, Emery Snodgrass, Cory Neumister, Emmy Boellstorff and Brooklyn Reid- Hansen. All of the Sunday practices, morning practices, sicknesses and weekly videos paid off in the end, as we brought home a state championship.
I am so proud of how hard these girls worked since state season began in November. They were disciplined, engaged and above all FOCUSED on their goal of winning state. I couldn’t have asked for a better squad to end my coaching career with. Seventeen straight years Auburn Cheer has brought home the first or second place trophy from the state competition, beginning in 2009. The amount of gratitude I have for every squad I have coached is insurmountable. Through the years, I learned so much about coaching, and so much about HOW to coach effectively. This squad in particular, taught me so much about myself, and how each girl needed a different type of coach out of me. I can’t wait to watch them grow in the upcoming years, as I watch from the sidelines. I am excited for assistant coaches Shanna Blazek and Maddie Reiman to take the reins and continue to demand excellence, and for every girl on the squad to reach their true potential.”
