KAPA‘A — The Waimea High School cheer squad literally exploded to its seventh consecutive Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation championship, Tuesday. Working through a series of sophisticated and complex routines before a capacity crowd, the Menehune pepsters piled up a total of
KAPA‘A — The Waimea High School cheer squad literally exploded to its seventh consecutive Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation championship, Tuesday.
Working through a series of sophisticated and complex routines before a capacity crowd, the Menehune pepsters piled up a total of 306 points to clinch the KIF title at the Bernice Hundley Gym on the Kapa‘a High School campus.
Kaua‘i High School, under first-year coach Avery Kano, was edged into second place with 295.5 points and the host Warrior cheer squad rounded out the competition at 217 points.
With the win, Waimea will represent the KIF at the Zippy’s Hawai‘i High School Athletic Association Cheerleading State Championships, Dec. 5 at the Stan Sheriff Center on the grounds of the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa.
“They were spectacular,” said Yvonne Hosaka, the Pop Warner Little Scholars Wescon cheer coordinator. “They were definitely a crowd pleaser.”
The audience responded from the Menehune’s opening number, a sophisticated pyramid routine, and the applause increased as the Menehune squad worked through its presentation with crispy, sharp moves.
“This year, we decided we would open with a pyramid instead of a basket toss,” said Waimea coach Roxanne Cardejon. “We just wanted to do something different.”
Cardejon, in her sixth year as coach of the Waimea cheer squad, said this is the team’s seventh KIF title.
“They had high intense energy,” said Troy Lazaro, a former Waimea cheer squad member as well as coach for the Kaua‘i Pop Warner Football League cheer squads. “That’s what I put on my Facebook page. They had unique use of equipment, and had good incorporation of partner stunts with sharpness of motion and good height on their jumps.”
Lazaro and Hosaka both agreed that Kaua‘i High School’s routine had an exceptional dance routine.
“They were good, too,” Lazaro said. “Their dance routine was outstanding, and helped them a lot.”
Among the audience, Jack and Kay Leonard of Kaua‘i Gymnastic Academy said he offered the use of its new facility in Puhi to help train for the state championships.
“We’ve got some new equipment and thicker pads that will help them perform at a higher caliber,” Leonard said.
Hosted by Kapa‘a High School, the audience was also treated to routines from the various KPWFL cheer squads that recently earned eligibility to participate in the National Pop Warner Cheer and Dance competition.
Cheer members include Cassandra Owens, Marissa Hesapene, Caitlin Gaspar, Rozee Palma, Bronte Acosta, Tasha Okamoto, Omi Gaspar, Kawehi Ephan, Nicolei Banasihan, Nikki Vea, Tiffany Patricio-Huddy, Jacey Sabala-Rapanot, Taylor Gaspar and Kawena Warren.
Joining Cardejon on the coaching staff are Harvette Acosta, Sunni Acosta, Nelson Acosta, Iris Hesapene and Nikki Ishibashi.
