BRENDEN CLOWE
STAFF WRITER
After changing their routine three times in a week, the varsity cheerleading team was able to take home the title as Hawaii High School Athletic Association State Champions on November 17, 2018 with a score of 520 points, after losing to Mililani High School in the previous year.
“It feels great. I couldn’t be more proud of the girls. They deserve every bit of it,” Head Cheerleading Coach Kaycee Kealoha said.
Many of the team members felt like the atmosphere of the competition was different, more energetic, especially after they took home the title of national grand champions in 2017.
“The competition has a very different atmosphere than most know. But as a Moanalua cheerleader, our coaches prepare us well so that once we hit that mat we have nothing but spirit heart and pride,” said Senior Lacey Ku’uipo Wilson-Pena.
Despite losing at the state level last year, the team practiced hard to bounce back and felt relieved to know that all of their hard work paid off.
“It was a big relief to know that we brought the title back to our school after having a hard loss last year,” senior Ashley Manz explained.
“This year is my last year cheering as a blue girl. I’ve been in this amazing program since my freshman year and have loved it ever since. Going into states I looked back at all the great memories and can’t believe how far I’ve come so far, and to win states just put my last year over the top. I’m proud,” Wilson-Pena said.
The team has decided that they will not be competing at nationals this year. Instead, the girls will be focusing more on the spirit aspect of their sport. The cheer team will be working towards supporting their fellow menes, starting with the basketball team, as the underclassmen on the junior varsity team continue to work on their skills in preparation for next year.