WAIMEA — The Waimea High School cheer squad overcame a drop to claim the Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation cheerleading championship, Saturday night at the Clem Gomes Gym in Waimea. Opening with a cheer routine featuring stunting, the Menehune squad had the
WAIMEA — The Waimea High School cheer squad overcame a drop to claim the Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation cheerleading championship, Saturday night at the Clem Gomes Gym in Waimea.
Opening with a cheer routine featuring stunting, the Menehune squad had the audience on seat’s edge with its crisp, powerful moves.
But about a third of the way into its routine, a slip in the center tower saw one of the cheer members stumble backwards, the move coming close to drawing gasps from the audience.
The Menehune demonstrated its competitiveness and continued onward without missing a beat to finish with 331.5 points from the panel of judges that included former cheerleaders and cheer coaches.
Kaua‘i High School, second in the competitive phase, worked through its routine limited to just five members of its squad and assumed the lead position, finishing at 305.5 points before Waimea took the floor.
Kapa‘a High School’s squad, limited by the absence of tumblers within its squad, rounded out the competitive showing at 215 points.
Despite that setback, the Warriors’ head coach, Kanana Kuhaulua, was named to a tie for the KIF Coach of the Year spot along with Roxanne Cardejon, coach for the KIF champion squad.
“All I wanted the kids to do was to go out there and really sell the routine and have fun at the same time,” Cardejon said following the announcements. “I could not have been more proud of the job they did. They are simply awesome.”
With the win, Waimea earns the right to represent Kaua‘i at the Zippy’s state cheerleading championships Dec. 13 on O‘ahu.
The Waimea squad, though relatively young with just two seniors within the ranks of 11 competing members, demonstrated mature competitive experience and tenacity in a crowd-pleasing, action-packed routine, said Dolly Wong, the event coordinator.
Nelson Acosta, named as the KIF Outstanding Cheerleader of the Year, is one of the two seniors on the Menehune squad.
Aleina Emayo, named to one of seven All Star First Team spots, is the other Waimea senior as the Menehune squad dominated the All Star First Team by taking six of the seven spots.
Joining the pair, Waimea placed three other cheer squad members to the All Star First Team. Those included freshman Marissa Hesapene, sophomore Caitlin “Omi” Gaspar and junior Casey Owen.
Tyra Lum, a junior with the Kaua‘i High School squad, rounded out the All Star First Team.
All Star Second Team members included Kaua‘i junior Jon Butac, Kapa‘a sophomore Oriana Huff, Kapa‘a senior Abigail Iloreta, Kapa‘a senior Leina‘ala McCabe and Kaua‘i junior Alysha Soria.
Owen captured the Outstanding Spirt award during the announcements of the KIF All Stars, joining Iloreta who was named for Outstanding Leadership qualities and Gaspar who captured the Outstanding Showmanship award.
The All Stars were named following a special presentation before a panel of judges from within the KIF and the community said Troy Lazaro, a former cheerleader, cheer coach and host for the Saturday night event.
“Just to be nominated to represent their school as an All-Star candidate is an honor for these cheer athletes, said All Star judge Shannon Ladd, a former cheerleader and cheer coach. “These kids are being recognized by their coaches and applauded by their squads and the community for their dedication, passion and all-around skill ability. These kids are true leaders in every sense of the word.”
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com.
