Winder-Barrow was not only at its best at the end of the season. It was basically perfect.
The cheer Doggs posted a 280 — its highest score of the season — to edge out second- place Ola (278) for the co-ed state title Saturday in Columbus. Two-time defending state champion Peachtree Ridge had 270 and was third.
Winder-Barrow coach Jerrie Hulsey said her team peaked at state and had the routine to prove it.
“I’m telling you, there was no flaw, not one mistake,” said Hulsey, who’s guided the Winder-Barrow cheerleading squad since 1992. “We knew it was going to take that to win.”
The win was especially sweet for Winder-Barrow’s 10 seniors, who had to settle for runners-up honors last year. This year’s senior class includes Crystal Hodge, Laura Beth Brown, Lauren Geiger, Ashley Rogers, Ashley Healan, Austin Sorrels, John Reese Fortson, Kody Sanders, Nick Oxley and Jonathan Rodriquez.
“It was a very big win for them,” Hulsey said. “The majority of them were on last year’s team that were the state runners-up, so they just carried that over … I’ve never seen a team so dedicated.”
This is the program’s fifth state title and its first since 2005. This is also the Cheer Doggs’ second state title in the co-ed division, which was created in the 2004-2005 season.
Fittingly, the championship came down to Winder-Barrow, Ola and Peachtree Ridge.
It had been a three-team race all year.
“They had great routines,” Hulsey said. “They brought their very best to the floor.”
But based on the schedule, both Ola and Peachtree Ridge performed prior to Winder-Barrow, allowing the Cheer Doggs to see exactly what they had to beat.
“In my opinion, we had the most energetic and exciting routine,” Hulsey said.
Hulsey pointed out that Winder-Barrow had 10 boys on the squad, compared to Ola’s two and Peachtree Ridge’s four. That number of boys really aided Winder-Barrow’s tossing ability, she said.
Winder-Barrow’s routine was also solid in another area.
“Nobody out-tumbled us,” Hulsey said. “It was amazing.”
Perhaps most impressively, Winder-Barrow maxed out each degree of difficulty category.
Hulsey said her squad had been building toward this routine ever since the first preseason practice.
“From day one, we really talked about what it takes to be a state champion,” Hulsey said.
Husley also noted the support the program enjoyed during its trip to Columbus, praising the Cheer Doggs’ booster club.
“They were screaming for us once we took the floor,” Hulsey said.
She said it created a great atmosphere, one which motivated Winder-Barrow’s best performance of the year.
“I felt like the whole house was pulling for us,” Hulsey said. “I’m just so proud of the kids.”
