NEWBERRY — The Newberry Academy Cheer team capped off their 2019-20 season the best possible way — as State Champions.

The Lady Eagles took to the mat on November 14 at the Sumter Exhibition Center where they were scored on components such as execution, difficulty and creativity — to name a few. Newberry Academy previously won the State Championship in 2014.

Coach Christie Gardner said with 11 girls on the team, it is always a goal to make it to State.

“But our goal for the team is to improve themselves every time we hit the mat,” she said.

Assistant Coach Chelsea Ellisor added that the team ranges from sixth to 12th graders, with three seniors on the team this year.

“Two of those seniors have been with us for five to seven years. We started the program seven years ago, so it was really a special year for those seniors to see the program full circle,” Gardner said. “They started the program as little babies, little sixth graders, and then to see it come full circle to finish the year with a State Championship was pretty awesome.”

Gardner said the team’s success is due to the girls work ethic and dedication.

“We’re competing against single A and AA schools. We competed in three competitions beforehand — won two out of the three — that led us to State, but our title is the Single A and AA State Competition Cheer Champs,” she said.

Leading up to State, Gardner said it was all about practicing hard and staying consistent, but more importantly teaching concepts outside of the mat.

“The things we talk about with the girls are to be respectful, consistent, motivated and we teach them accountability — because it’s not just them on the team. It’s about everyone and what they do to make the team better and to make the person sitting next to you better,” she said. “Take all of those concepts as a team and put all of that hard work together and then the scores fall where they may.”

When looking at their competition, there was one school the Lady Eagles were watching out for — Oakbrook Prep (AA team).

“That was the one team we were pretty neck and neck with for a little bit,” Gardner said.

Gardner added that the girls kept their focus and put forth 100 percent on the mat, with their scores falling well enough to go to State.

“Most of these girls we have on our team don’t just do competition cheerleading. They play volleyball, right now most of them are playing basketball, so they don’t focus on one sport. Which also makes it difficult, too,” Ellisor said.

When the team found out they were State Champions, Gardner and Ellisor said the tears were flowing from the girls and themselves.

“Five out of the 11 girls were new this year, so this was a completely new experience for them. The veterans on the team were just all so excited. I don’t know, sometimes it’s just hard to put into words when you’re excited and you see all the hard work you put in, the results and all the hours that they’ve put in,” Gardner said. “I was just really excited for the girls because we all put in a lot of hours, but the girls are the ones who have to do the work — they have to perform the skills.”

Gardner added the team isn’t stopping any time soon — they will soon be adopting a family for Christmas.

“Not only do we try to teach the team concepts, but as coaches we try to teach life skills, too and give back to the community. In a couple of weeks, we are going to adopt our family for Christmas and I hope to participate in the Laying of the Wreath Ceremony at Fort Jackson as well — just to kind of give back to the community in another way,” she said.

With the season complete, the program will say goodbye to three of its seniors: Michelle Brown, Summer Harbert and Gracie Bedenbaugh. Ellisor said, regardless of how long the girls have been part of the team, it will be like starting over next year.

“No matter if you’ve been a person on the team when we first started the program until now, you have to start over. So each season is new — new routine, could be new people we compete against. This year at State, there were several new teams that have never had cheerleading teams before, so next year there may be somebody that comes in and could be our next big competition,” she said. “The seniors — the veterans on the team, will be able to teach the new girls things they need to know, but across the board we all start over.”

Gardner said next year they will have a young team with no seniors — there will be one junior with the rest being underclassman.

The Lady Eagles start their season in the spring with 10 practices they are allotted. From there they begin working with choreographer and gym coach Matt Rhine — the team has worked with Rhine for the last six years.

According to Ellisor, the team will go back to the fundamentals and start with a fresh season.

Preparing for next season also means preparing to perform for different judges with different tastes.

“Every competition is different because there are different judges — it’s not the same judges every competition. You could score high at one competition and the next one the judges may not see the same difficulty and that kind of stuff,” Ellisor said. “So if you and another school are close that could be your determining factor on who wins and who doesn’t.”

Despite having a young team next year, Gardner anticipates they will come back strong.

“The new girls caught on really fast so I anticipate next year to be another strong year,” she said. “A lot of young girls are interested in the program so it’ll stay around for a little while.”

With the 2019-20 season over, the Lady Eagles will say farewell to three seniors. Pictured, left to right: Assistant Coach Chelsea Ellisor, Michelle Brown, Summer Harbert, Gracie Bedenbaugh and Coach Christie Gardner.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/web1_GroupPic2Seniors.jpgWith the 2019-20 season over, the Lady Eagles will say farewell to three seniors. Pictured, left to right: Assistant Coach Chelsea Ellisor, Michelle Brown, Summer Harbert, Gracie Bedenbaugh and Coach Christie Gardner. Courtesy photos

On Nov. 14, the Newberry Academy Cheer team traveled to the Sumter Exhibition Center where they were named State Champions. The last time the team won the State Championship was in 2014. Pictured, beginning with Row One left to right: Michelle Brown, Summer Harbert, Gracie Bedenbaugh. Row Two: Chelsea Ellisor (assistant coach), Cassie Gilliam, Brooklyn DeWitt, Bethany Sawyer, Jayla Williams, Lucy Catucci, Cassie Waites, Gracie Baker, Jade Hughes, and Christie Gardner (coach).
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/web1_GroupPic1.jpgOn Nov. 14, the Newberry Academy Cheer team traveled to the Sumter Exhibition Center where they were named State Champions. The last time the team won the State Championship was in 2014. Pictured, beginning with Row One left to right: Michelle Brown, Summer Harbert, Gracie Bedenbaugh. Row Two: Chelsea Ellisor (assistant coach), Cassie Gilliam, Brooklyn DeWitt, Bethany Sawyer, Jayla Williams, Lucy Catucci, Cassie Waites, Gracie Baker, Jade Hughes, and Christie Gardner (coach). Courtesy photos

By Kelly Duncan

kduncan@championcarolinas.com

Reach Kelly Duncan at 803-768-3123 ext. 1868 or on Twitter @TheNBOnews.