The Commerce Cheer Tigers turned in a flawless performance last weekend, earning enough points to win third place out of all Class A schools competing at the state meet in Columbus.
Trion High, located in northwest Georgia, took first place followed by Mount Paran Christian Academy of Kennesaw, which claimed second.
The difference between the teams stemmed mainly from difficulty levels, Commerce coach Dianne Cotrell explained. Her team opted for a scaled back routine executed with precision. In fact, all seven judges rewarded the Tigers for their perfection in the “performance” category of judging, Cotrell added.
“We really, really felt good about third place. It was tough. But everyone did well, performed well, and everyone was happy about it. I was happy about it,” Cotrell said. “It was the best they’d done all season.”
The coach described her team as elated simply to be called to the floor for the awards ceremony as one of the top six. When the announcement came that the Cheer Tigers won third place, the girls reacted in a big way.
“They wanted to place. They were holding their breaths, holding their hands with their eyes closed,” Cotrell said. “I told them, ‘Just remember, you performed outstanding, no matter what.’ ”
The judges did call them and “you would have thought we won the state championship, they went bananas. The tears were flowing. They were so excited. That made me feel good. They were pleased with third place because they knew they’d done well. I am real proud of them,” she added.
Entering the meet, senior leader Ann Drinkard reported that the squad had realistic goals and expectations. They wanted to place third or better.
Doing so shelved lingering disappointment over last year’s outcome. The Cheer Tigers were neither happy with 2010’s performance, nor the judging that put them outside the top 10.
Causing more doubts in the final days of this season were the rules changes teams have been grappling with all season. The changes focused on difficulty, Cotrell explained. Many teams including Commerce were hobbled with injuries, the coach said, explaining that the pressure to intensify routines may have taken a physical toll.
As a result of the challenges, however, a number of Cheer Tigers advanced their skills and recognized how off-season workouts could protect their bodies and enhance their ability to remain among the state’s best teams, Cotrell said.
She mentioned the freshmen class in particular as blossoming this season, with five cheerleaders performing on the floor with no experience at all on a statewide level.
“I’m really looking forward to next year,” Cotrell said, mentioning all of the returning team members. “I think lot of them grew up, matured and realized (they) have to get busy and work. It gets tougher and tougher every year.”
If there were any regrets this season, it related only to a shipment that arrived a couple days too late. New uniforms ordered shortly after Commerce’s successful first home meet were not delivered on time for the team to wear in Columbus.
But chances are pretty good the 2011 Cheer Tigers’ last team picture will show them in the new uniforms, a promise Cotrell intends to keep.
The photo will commemorate Commerce competitive cheerleading program’s positive return to Class A’s top tier, she said.
“I am relieved that everyone is happy,” Cotrell said. “That is important.”
