The shouts of “ LN-HS; We’re here to win, we are the best!” ring out in the Navy Room as the cheer competition team prepare for state on September 15 at Mizzou. After placing 2nd at regionals in July, the team has been hard at work creating more complicated stunts and adding  different tumbling sequences to their routine in hopes of receiving a state ring.

The girls are extremely fired up about the chance to perform and show what they are made of at the competition.

“State being this close is really big for us because we know we can hit everything and we have been working really hard. Each and every one of us wants this so bad. I just want to get out there and show everyone what North Nation really is,” freshman Bailey Tobin said.

According to some of the cheerleaders, this year’s team is really close and that will be a helpful advantage.

“ We have bonded really well and are very close. We all trust and encourage each other which is something really important because of the types of stunts we are doing,” senior Grace Sambursky said.

Last year’s team placed fourth in their division and this year, the girls are fighting for first with a vengeance.The cheerleaders have been working diligently; practice twice a week for two hours with the addition of a few three hour practices to make sure they are fully prepared for the competition they will face at the state level.

“Our focus is on timing, sharpness, strength, jumps, tumbling, and hitting our stunts. We have a great team and we are working well together and getting better every day. You perform the way you practice so we are putting in the hard work and looking forward to state. Believe, Achieve, Succeed,” sophomore Claire Rose said.