Varsity cheer has experienced the pain and devastation of losing states by .5 for two years in a row. They perform through the exhaustion to hit every stunt, jump, and tumble and seem to come up short. This year, the ladies are going for the gold and are compromising nothing to get it.

At states in 2016, the ladies placed second by a half a point to Arundel High School, 123.14 to 123.64.

Captain of Varsity Cheer Sierra Bennett describes losing states last year as “devastating” and “crushing.” Bennett has been cheering for nine years  and is also a flyer.

“We put so much work in, and we spent a lot of time practicing. It was like all the hard work  was for nothing,” said Bennett.

Arundel won due to their clean and sharp motions during the routine.

On October 21, Linganore went to the 2017 Fall Invitational Competition at Westminister High School and placed first for varsity. The team beat both teams that won states for the past two years (Arundel and Chesapeake).

Linganore plans to be more clean this year to achieve first place. According to Bennett, the team this year is more close-knit and works well together.

The stunting for this year is unexpected and improved. Linganore gained an F5 Maryland Twister flyer, freshman Sofia Toccalino. Maryland Twisters is a five time World Champion Program. They are one of the best all star teams in Maryland: the team is competitive at worlds every year.

“It honestly awesome to have the experience to be on varsity. Everyone is so welcoming and I look up to them all,” said Toccalino.

To better prepare the girls for the state champion ring, the coaches started planning the routine earlier and had the routine ready the first week of practice. To perfect the routine, the girls practice just pieces of the routine at  time until each part is perfect. Then they move on.

“This team stands out because of their work ethic. They work through injuries and illnesses to be state champions this year,” said Coach Amy Rumburg.

A recent injury that will require some re-arranging of routines was Aly Bindel’s knee injury at the Marriotts Ridge Invitational.  Although their performance was not their best, the team maintains its reputation as a team to beat.

The team is on the path to be state champions. Support the cheer team at counties at TJ High School at 7 on November 2. And states are held at Harford community College, Saturday November 11.