Backstory of How We Got to Nationals:
During our fall 2024 season, we had an opportunity to get a bid to nationals if we worked hard enough. Through the weeks of practice and hard work competition finally rolled around. December 14, 2025, was our competition, and we competed against 4 teams for the bid to nationals. We had a few fails and drops during our practice time before competing, but then we were up on stage, and before we knew it, our routine was over. After our performance, we waited to hear the results of the competition, and we were beyond thrilled to hear that we got first place and won the bid to nationals! There were smiles on our faces, tears in our eyes, and we were all jumping up and down. It was a long and emotional journey to make it to nationals, and for our coach, it was a lifelong dream. We were her first team to go to nationals, and we were so beyond excited to represent her there.
Summer Practices & Fundraising:
When June of 2025 came around, we started our nationals practices that we had every Tuesday at Westwood Elementary. During those practices, we had an amazing opportunity to be interviewed and get an article in St. Cloud Live published about us! Throughout the summer practices, we had some fundraising events to help raise money for the trip. Those fundraisers included things like Texas Roadhouse and Scooters. We also had some team get-togethers, like a pin-making/pool party and sleepovers! Most of our summer was definitely dedicated to cheer and our team since we were together at least twice a week up until the week of nationals. This summer, we definitely got closer as a team, and I don’t think anyone would change this summer for the world.
Trip Down to Cleveland:
The trip to Cleveland was a fun one. My mom and I drove down to Cleveland together, and before we left, we planned for the drive. We made snack boxes, brought blankets and pillows, games, books, and more. The drive was 12 hours (not including the rest stops) and was definitely a long drive. On our way there, we stopped at quite a few rest stops, but we also tried 7Brew for the first time when we got to Illinois! We both thought it was phenomenal and said that it was the best thing we had on the drive. We tried to split the drive so each of us drove a little, but I may or may not have gotten us lost within the first 20 minutes of me driving. We eventually made it to our Airbnb and got all settled in!
Team Banquet:
Once everyone arrived in Cleveland, we had our team banquet! The banquet was held at Dave & Buster’s, where we had rented a room, and the parents set up an awards ceremony and slideshow for all of us athletes. Everyone was dressed up in nice dresses; we took photos, played games, had a nice dinner, and just had a great time overall. There were so many games that we all played, including a human claw machine and racing. We definitely got closer as a team after this banquet and were ready to rock it at nationals.
The Day of Competition:
The day of the competition was a long one. We woke up at around 8 and went to get breakfast. Then, at around 10, some of the team came over to the Airbnb and got ready for the competition. We helped each other with our makeup, hair, lashes, and a lot more. It was a fun time getting ready together.
After everyone was ready, we headed to the Cleveland sign to take some more team pictures and get a little practice on our dance. After the photos, we got food and headed to the convention center, where the competition was held. We didn’t compete until late in the afternoon, but while we were at the convention center, we headed to the room assigned to us and met with our coach to get all the information we needed and some more practice on our dance.
After about an hour, we switched to a different room where we got professional team photos taken, practiced our stunts, and put the whole routine together with music. It was finally time to hit the competition floor. We were waiting backstage for us to be called, and when I tell you the nerves were high, they were high. Once we hit the floor and our music started playing, we instantly rocked the stage and hit our routine!
When we got off stage, we went over to a TV and watched our routine with the coaches. After watching it, we had about an hour before the awards, so we all just went to be with our families and get some merch. Finally awards came around, and all of our heartbeats were skyrocketing. When they called St. Cloud’s placement, we couldn’t have been happier. We got 2nd place in our size group and division!! We were so happy, people were crying, hugging, and getting pep talks. We all went to get dinner together to talk about our accomplishments. There was so much love everywhere.
Nationals was an amazing experience, and I’m so glad I got to experience it with this amazing team!
