After placing first at state and third at nationals last year, the Panthers set the standard high for themselves this year. With expectations rising, KP cheer has not let the pressure affect them.
Two weeks ago at UIL state, KP cheer got fourth out of 40 teams. With nationals quickly approaching, cheer has only parking lot practices left in Florida. They plan to make it count.
“During practice we are going to be productive. Spend a lot of time cleaning, full outs, and keeping a positive attitude,” coach Brittni Sharp said.
After coaching cheer for 5 years, she plans to keep pushing her athletes to their potential.
Under her leadership, the program has reached levels that no one else in the district has achieved. KP cheer was the first Humble ISD team to win a UIL state title.
The team has changed in the past year. After 13 seniors graduated, new talent was added.
“With 10 sophomores on varsity, this team has pushed so much harder and has a lot to learn,” Sharp said. “Most of the girls haven’t done the Game Day [routine] before this year but still kill it.”
The youth on the team isn’t holding them back, only allowing room for growth.
“Our bond is like no other,” varsity co-captain Laurel Rummel said. “When I say we have never had a team this connected, I mean it. We are like a family and this is the last time our team will be this team.”
With nationals being Rummel’s last competition, this week carries extra meaning. She is hopeful the team makes it through all three rounds.
“We have worked so hard for this moment and we cannot waste it,” Rummel said. “With all the parking lot laps, full outs, cleaning and practices, we hope we can have three last full outs.”
Senior co-captain Madi Staggs has spent three years on the comp team. Like Rummel, nationals is also her last competition. She believes the team is capable of doing something special.
“Our bond genuinely makes us one,” Staggs said. “We are so capable of getting top 10 and maybe even medaling. The night before we competed at state, we all talked about what we worked for and how much we care for each other, I’ve never had a team bond this strong.”
The cheer team leaves for Florida on Wednesday. At nationals, cheer will go against over 70 teams with only 35 advancing to semifinals and 10 earning a spot in finals.
If the Panthers advance past the first, they will have only two practices left before their final performance.
“For our last practices, we need to lock in and really make corrections,” Staggs said. “Every small part of the routine is important and we have worked so hard for this.”
