Raiders’ competitive spirit team headed back to states
JACKSON TWP — Members of Seneca Valley's competitive cheer squad had reason to celebrate following the WPIAL Championships at Chartiers Valley High School on Jan. 6.
By placing eighth, the Raiders earned a trip to next weekend's state competition in Hershey. Making the jubilant atmosphere a bit sweeter was the fact that many of the Raiders remember well last year's disappointment.
"Last year at WPIALs, we fell three times and had reductions," said SV coach Laura Wise. "It was just not a good day for us, but it lit a fire within the girls to come back and do better this year."
The frustrating performance was not for lack of effort.
"We worked so hard and went into that competition with a great mind-set," said Skyler Fischer, a current junior who was pleased to see the team's determination and preparation rewarded this season. "We hit our routine the day before and went into WPIALs this time more confident than scared."
SV turned in a clean routine, meaning no reductions, and scored a program-best 83 out of a possible 100 while competing in the Class 3A Small Division.
"Small teams include no more than 15 athletes competing at one time and large can be between 16-30," said Wise. "It's up to each school to decide which division they want to compete in."
SV's competitive cheer program began in 2017. The Raiders reached states that year while making due with what space was available, including holding practices in the hallways of the school.
Now the team hones its skills either in the middle school's cheer and dance studio or by renting out space in a local gym.
Beginning Friday, SV will be one of 35 Class 3A Small Division teams from across the state competing in Hershey. They will be judged on a 90-second routine set to music that includes tumbling, jumps and stunts and a cheer portion.
"The cheer portion is where you have to engage the crowd and that's where we really shine," said Wise. "Our girls are energized and very engaging.
"We're a bit weaker in the stunts."
But junior Natalia Verdi believes the Raiders can impress in that area as well in Hershey.
"We're very strong in the jumps and tumbling and are working on getting our stunting difficulty up," she said.
The Raiders have no seniors this year, but Fischer and Verdi have joined fellow juniors Maddie Och and Meredith Baxter in providing a strong base for the team.
"They understand what it takes to be successful," said Wise. "They keep the younger girls calm and let them know what the standards are for our program.
"Everyone is in it together and it's like a family. The younger girls don't feel like they have to impress the seniors because we have none. It's an interesting dynamic."
But leadership is still there and it comes from the junior class.
"When we (juniors) were freshmen, we idolized the seniors," said Verdi. "We took their advice, took it to heart and it made a difference for us. It's nice to now be on the other side of that and help the younger girls. I love it."
Wise, who is assisted by Katie Wise, Megan Wise and Elaine Duggan, said her team is not treating its trip to Hershey simply as a reward.
"We've been to states three times before (2017, 2020 and 2022) and have never reached the finals (top 25% of teams after Friday's opening round)," she said. "That's our goal."
The Raiders are a confident group ahead of their trip.
"We are definitely capable of getting there," said Verdi.
