The Morgan Hill Raider cheerleaders picked up where they left
off in 2008, earning three first-place wins and one third-place
finish at the Oct. 3 Peninsula Pop Warner Cheer Invitationals
MOUNTAIN VIEW — The Morgan Hill Raider cheerleaders picked up where they left off in 2008, earning three first-place wins and one third-place finish at the Oct. 3 Peninsula Pop Warner Cheer Invitationals in Mountain View’s Shoreline Amphitheater.
With more than 80 teams competing in different categories, the Morgan Hill cheerleaders knew what kind of competition they were up against. The Raiders’ Midget cheerleaders had something to prove as defending national champions.
The other squads had to wait until the end of the day to see how the Midgets matched up to their decorated 2008 team.
The morning session revealed that the younger girls of the Raiders organization could keep up with the big girls. Coach Delia Ordaz performed magic with her Jr. Pee Wee squad of 8-11-year-olds by taking first in the Small Novice category, which featured seven teams. The crowd marveled at the squad’s enthusiasm and stunts.
The Pee Wee cheerleaders took the floor next. Directed by first-year coach Gabriela de La Torre, these 9-12-year-olds were nearly flawless in every step of their routine.
Coach Sandra Niebla’s Jr. Midget cheerleaders — ages 10 to 13 and the smallest of all the competing squads with 16 girls — placed third in the Small Intermediate category, nailing their stunts and keeping their routine crisp.
The competition came to a crescendo when the National Champion Midget cheerleaders took the floor. Coached by Shelly Solorio, who has qualified more than six teams for Pop Warner Nationals, the girls were well prepared. The difficulty of their routine was punctuated with multiple tumbling passes and a very fast dance routine. The team brought the crowd to its feet with their own cheers of encouragement and approval. The girls walked off the floor feeling they answered the call and staked their claim as the team to beat this year.
It wasn’t all competition, though. There were exhibition performances by the youngest of cheerleaders, the 5-7-year-old Tiny mites, coached by Amy Redmond; and the 7-9-year-old Mitey mites, coached by Ashley Sanchez; put on fantastic shows. Although they do not compete, they practice several times a week and cheer for their respective football teams.
Next up is the Oct. 24 Peninsula Pop Warner Championships, held at Santa Clara University. With the taste of success fresh, these girls are back to practice and working harder than ever to keep first place in their sites.
