Herndon Cheerleaders to Take On Regional Finals

Herndon High School's coed cheerleaders have been prepping all week to take on the next challenge — regional finals.

The group came in first at district finals on Oct. 27 and last weekend took the top spot at the regional semi finals. During practice on Wednesday (Nov. 3) Coach Jenny Goff said the team has been unbelievable this year.

"They are just such a cohesive team this year," Goff said. "They just work so well together." She said the team is very talented but on top of that it's their collective drive and determination making them succeed. She said she was proud to see the team take the district title as proof of its hard work.

Jake Mitchell, Herndon senior and one of the team captains, said the goal from the beginning was to win districts. "And when we did that it felt pretty good," he said.

Vanessa Ramsay, another senior captain, said seeing the talent and hard work of the entire team throughout the season has been great. She said it's obvious they all have the same goal and want to push through it.

Jake said instead of aiming for first the team always aims for zero deductions in the performance. Vanessa said the goal is to always better themselves and not compare themselves to other teams they're competing against. She said they always want to perform better than the last time.

Senior captain Kelly Sartorius said it has felt great to see the recognition the team has garnered throughout the season. She said often teaches will wish the team good luck and once in a local Starbucks a woman saw she was a Herndon cheerleader and commended the team.

Jake said going out and being the team everyone wants to beat is a pretty big deal. He said he is proud to be on a top ranked team. Vanessa said the place the team is in now was unexpected for her.

"Our goal for this weekend is to be the team we were last weekend and to get zero deductions," Kelly said. "And we'd really like our year on that banner in the gym, really badly."

Vanessa said she's looking forward to ending the season successfully. She said she hopes to leave a good legacy for the team to work toward next year. "Pretty much half the team is leaving," she said.

Kelly said the next competition could be one of the last times they compete together as a team and she's looking forward to spending the time with the team. She said they are crossing their fingers they can make it to state finals.

"I'm just really pleased," Vanessa said. "Everyone's worked so well together." She said the entire team has worked to push and encourage each other and she's been happy to see everyone support each other.

"I'm really proud of our team t his year," Kelly said. "We've really become a family." She said they all get along well and the effort comes from 100 percent of the team, not just the older members who want to leave on a high note.

The team has improved on its tumbling and stunts this year, Goff said. "They've set higher expectations for the entire region," she said. "They are true trend setters."

Goff said this is the first time Herndon cheer has been in such a big spotlight in the community and it's great to see people appreciate the team's hard work. She said she's receiving supportive e-mails from alumni cheerleaders who graduated more than 10 years ago. "I'm very proud of them," she said.

Goff said she's also proud of the maturity level of her team. She said often she'll walk into practice and the students will have already started work and she gets to pick up where they left off.

Though Goff has been coaching Herndon cheerleading for about seven years, she's only been the head coach for the past few. She said the seniors leaving this year began with her in her first year as head coach. "It's a great way to say goodbye," she said.