The Mules Competitive Cheerleading Team has, for the second year in a row, taken a winning title in the Missouri Cheerleading Coaches Association State Competition. The contest was held Saturday at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau.
“When they came back to town they had a police escort and it was a whole parade thing,” said PBHS Communications Director Tim Krakowiak.
In October, the team took first in the 4A Small Division during the MCCA St. Louis Cheerleading Regional at Lindenwood University. They were named 4A Small Division champions during the MCCA Kansas City Cheerleading Regional at Avila University.
“Back-to-back state championships, so they won last year and they just won the state championship this year. And quite frankly, it seems like they are our shining light here. They athletically put us on the map more than any other sport,” said Krakowiak.
Head coach Kim Smith praised her squad, saying they put in countless hours to achieve their goals.
“We had tryouts two weeks after our season ended last year. And then they have worked pretty much every week since then,” she said. “We only took three weeks off during the summer. We just worked constantly, these girls just push and push and push.”
Smith said her squad is dedicated and driven to win, so they put forth a lot of effort.
“We practice, typically, at least four days a week, then we also have games,” said Smith.
She went on to praise Junior Varsity Cheer Coach Brianna Jones saying, “It would not have been possible without our assistant, head JV coach, Brianna Jones. She is always working with them.
“This is my fourth year as head coach and she came in mid-season last year, and she just she pushes them to be the very best that they can be.”
This win, as anyone can imagine, has brought the athletes and coaches a great sense of accomplishment, Smith said, adding, the girls are “over the moon” and ready for nationals.
“This is a big year for us. We are headed to Dallas, Texas, for nationals in January,” she said.
Smith said she feels the sport doesn’t quite get the recognition they deserve athletically.
“I think a lot of people don’t realize how physically demanding this truly is. I’ve watched these girls just get physically beat up at practice. Because it’s brutal. It is a rough sport, it is definitely a contact sport,” said Smith.
The monetary cost of competing, according to Smith, has been quite exorbitant.
“This has been a very expensive year for us. Going to nationals is not cheap and we have been fundraising, fundraising, fundraising, and our community has shown up for us, and I just am so appreciative of that,” she said.
Six Poplar Bluff students were recognized as All-State athletes including: Lanie Robertson, Backspot; Emma Hicks, Flyer; Kenzie Cassie, Tumbling & Jumps; Miles Coleman, Base; Audrie Caudel, Flyer; and Kelsey Kramer, Tumbling.
Smith expressed pride for the community and her squad.
“These girls were so determined, and they had that goal in mind and they were going to make that happen, and they did,” she said.