THROUGH TRIUMPH, SETBACKS AND CONTROVERSY, THE TOLTON CATHOLIC CHEERLEADER TEAM CONTINUES TO SUCCEED DURING COMPETITION SEASON.
The Tolton cheer team finds the joy of high school sports. Being on a team for more than half of the year, both during school hours and not, brings people together. The bonds they form are unique and will be memories they hold on to forever. Despite long hours, frustration, sudden loss and a controversial ending, the mutual love for the sport and the desire to succeed brings the team together to win regionals and a second-place finish at the state competition.
Tolton Catholic High School's cheerleading team finishes their regional competition routine at halftime of the football game on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, in Columbia, Mo. The team had been not in the best head space before the regional competition, in part due to the sudden passing of a former tumbling coach just days before the game. Melissa Wilhite, daughter of coach Donna Blauch said "Beautiful! Amazing! Regionals is going to be a breeze after that. Their old coach was with them today.”
From left, coaches Donna Blauch, Lauren McDaniels and Jayda Jones pray before the Tolton Catholic cheer team's state performance on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2023, in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Not every student may be catholic, but the coaches incorporate faith into the cheer program through team prayer and attending mass.
From left, Tolton Catholic freshman Callie Shepherd, freshman Galia Lopez and senior Sarah Seda practice a cartwheel to inversion on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023, in Columbia, Mo. The trio is practicing a portion of the stunt routine used in their regionals competition performance. Stunts consist of team-based performances meant to show teamwork, skill and dexterity.
Tolton Catholic freshman Emily Heidt takes a break from the early morning practice to study for an exam later in the day on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023, in Columbia, M0. “I’ve got a government test today. It’s a big one. I’m just studying where I can.”
Tolton Catholic High School's cheerleading team lay down tired and frustrated after a three-hour practice on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023, in Columbia, Mo. The practice had missed stunts and incomplete routines as the regional competition approached. Despite the grind of the long day, Coach Lauren McDaniels praised her squad. "This was your first full-on. No one’s first full-on is easy. We are only building from here. Don’t be too hard on yourselves. I am really proud of you guys. I mean it! It’s all about getting our minds right first.”
Tolton Catholic High School's cheerleading team celebrates their class 2A first place victory at the regional competition on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023, in Warrensburg, Mo. Senior Adra Parsons said of their win "This year was a lot less stressful. Our coach last year quit two weeks before regionals. We still qualified for state that. I love when we hold hands in the circle. This year our team is very together."
Tolton Catholic freshman Callie Shepherd does her make up on the bus to the regional competition on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023, on highway 70 in central Missouri. In between doing their makeup, the team gossiped about their homecoming dance the night before. "Who else things the DJ was awful last night?” asked Callie. A few ayes rang out in agreement.
From left, Tolton Catholic senior Mary Cate Swain, senior Sarah Seda and Rock Bridge freshman Sophia Seda pose for a snapchat on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023, in Columbia, Mo. The team was trying to recruit friends to come to Southeast Missouri State University on Sunday to watch the team compete in the state championship
Most of the Tolton Catholic cheer team watch a video of their state finals performance on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2023, in Cape Girardeau, Mo. The Trailblazers were confident in a first place placement after seeing their performance, their opponents' and being aware of the minimal deductions on their scoresheet.
