Utah State Cheer champs Desert Hills heading to nationals in March

Desert Hills High School performs at the Utah State Cheer Competition, Draper, Utah, Feb. 15, 2014 | Photo courtesy of Stephen Speckman

ST. GEORGE – Fresh off a win at the Utah State Cheer Championships, the Desert Hills High School cheerleading team is heading to nationals next month, then will regroup on home turf for new season tryouts.

Desert Hills High School celebrates winning the 3A varsity girls division at the Utah State Cheer Competition, Draper, Utah, Feb. 15, 2014 | Photo courtesy of Stephen Speckman
Desert Hills High School celebrates winning the 3A varsity girls division at the Utah State Cheer Competition, Draper, Utah, Feb. 15, 2014 | Photo courtesy of Stephen Speckman

Patty Richardson, Cassidy Legg and Shana Barr coordinate general team activities, stunting and choreography, and tumbling, respectively. Over the last six years, the coaches and students have worked diligently to grow cheer in Southern Utah while making a name for Desert Hills in the sport.

“I believe one thing that stands out in our program is that we teach the girls to dream big and don’t stop working until you get there,” Legg said.

The 2013-14 season began with tryouts in April, followed by a summer camp competition and regionals in northern Utah and Las Vegas, a requirement to qualify for State on Feb. 15.

Most of the team performed the night before the state competition at a home basketball game, while others were in Provo for the 3A State Swimming Championships. They convened at Juan Diego High School to perform a routine reconstructed only five days before competition due to the team captain sustaining an ankle injury.

With only 2 minutes, 30 seconds to show off an entire season of practice in front of Principal Rusty Taylor and many proud families and classmates, Desert Hills won the 3A Varsity Girls Show Cheer division, beating other regional champions Morgan and Richfield.

Desert Hills High School performs at the Utah State Cheer Competition, Draper, Utah, Feb. 15, 2014 | Photo courtesy of Stephen Speckman
Desert Hills High School performs at the Utah State Cheer Competition, Draper, Utah, Feb. 15, 2014 | Photo courtesy of Stephen Speckman

“These girls stepped up to the challenge. They stayed grounded and confident and nailed the routine,” Legg said. “Once they came off the floor, I knew there was nothing more they could have done. They literally left it all on the mat.”

Seventeen-year-old team member Beth Purser said the innumerable hours of practice were well worth it.

“We have come so close in the past and it feels great to win,” she said. “All the hard work has paid off.”

Away from cheer, the team is a collection of outstanding student-athletes who maintain an scholastic 3.85 GPA. Several have been named Deseret News/KSL Sterling Scholars.

“Our cheerleaders work so hard to be the best at what they do,” Desert Hills athletic director Kim Monkres said. “These girls put in countless hours preparing for competition, all while getting good grades and supporting the school in all of the various events. They are definitely a group that we are so proud of.”

There is little down time in cheer. Next, the team will travel to Anaheim, Calif., for the USA Spirit Nationals competition March 28-30.

Tryouts for the new season start March 31, preceded by an orientation clinic at the school, held March 3-5 at 3 p.m. Interested Desert Hills students may contact [email protected] for more information.

(story continues below)

Desert Hills performing at the Utah State Cheer Competition, Feb. 15, 2014 | Video courtesy of Patty Richardson

Utah State Cheer is a club sport established in 2013, though most participating schools had independently run cheer squads prior to its formation. The number of teams tripled this year, representing 3A, 4A, 5A and junior high schools across the state. Girls and coed teams showed off their “school fight song,” “sideline/timeout dance” and “show cheer” routines at two regionals and the state competition during the season.

Though not sanctioned by the Utah High School Activities Association, cheer teams support UHSAA sports including football, basketball and wrestling at games and championships throughout the school year. Many participate in regional and national competitions for titles of their own.

Desert Hills High School celebrates winning the 3A varsity girls division at the Utah State Cheer Competition, Draper, Utah, Feb. 15, 2014 | Photo courtesy of Stephen Speckman
Desert Hills High School celebrates winning the 3A varsity girls division at the Utah State Cheer Competition, Draper, Utah, Feb. 15, 2014 | Photo courtesy of Stephen Speckman

Abiding by the National Federation of State High School Associations philosophy that cheer should “provide the students with educational experiences and learning outcomes that contribute toward the development of the attributes of good citizenship,” the goal of Utah State Cheer is to cultivate not only excellent athletes, but youth ambassadors who represent their schools with pride.

“Cheer teams are one of the most visible in the school and have a great influence on the school environment. With this comes great opportunities to excel in academics and may lead to scholarships,” co-director Lori Rupp said. “(This program carries) all the same expectations for these students to excel as any school activity. We are anticipating continued support from administrators as we grow and we know to achieve this, we must have a quality program that has worthwhile educational objectives.”

“So much time and hard work goes into it, but cheer is an awesome program. Cheer offers students the opportunity to get involved and show their school spirit,” Purser said. “Getting involved in high school makes all the difference in the experiences you’ll have.”

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2014, all rights reserved.

Desert Hills High School performs at the Utah State Cheer Championship, Draper, Utah, Feb. 15, 2014 | Photo courtesy of Stephen Speckman
Desert Hills High School performs at the Utah State Cheer Competition, Draper, Utah, Feb. 15, 2014 | Photo courtesy of Stephen Speckman

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