The 2022-23 River Ridge High School cheer team competed in the 2023 WIAA State Championship at Battle Ground High School in Vancouver, Washington on February 4, 2023. River Ridge Cheer won first place in the Large Gameday division category. The team also placed second place in the Medium Traditional Tumbling category.
Head coach Tia Kutz was elated with her team’s performance and the accomplishment of capturing a State Championship for River Ridge. “The girls fought harder than they ever have before to bring home this amazing accomplishment back to our school,” Kutz stated. “I had a very talented group of kids this season but we teach as a coaching team that it’s not all about the wins and titles but that it is important to create a safe space for the kids to be themselves and thrive and I believe we have that here at River Ridge cheer.”
Senior cheer captain Taylor Miller thought the season was amazing. “This cheer season was full of ups and downs, with last minute changes, hard work, long practices, but we never once had the thought of giving up,” Miller remarked. “Winning state was an amazing, rewarding feeling of accomplishment and a day we will never forget. Standing on the podium with that state championship trophy, made it all worth it.”
February 11-12 saw the Hawks Cheer Team compete at the UCA (Universal Cheerleaders Association ) National High School Cheerleading Championship in Orlando, Florida. The team competed in three rounds of competition against teams from all over the country. The team placed in the Top Ten, receiving a 9th place trophy against 32 teams.
Kutz spoke highly of her coaches – Selaina Sayan, Molly Thomas, and Makaela Henderson – and the team’s dedication. “These kids surprised us daily with their resilience and drive to push themselves beyond their comfort zone,” she said. “The sky’s the limit for River Ridge cheer.”
River Ridge High School Cheer Roster:
Seniors
Taylor Miller (Captain)
Kianna Cooper
Juniors
Courtney Tapia (Captain)
Charlotte (Charley) Warman
Keyera Tartt-Nelson
Melina Henderson (Captain)
Georgia Callaway
Holly Ann Pitcher (Captain)
Ella Wells (Captain)
Jada Matthews
Marion Wellner
Sophomores
Calleigh Vincent
Danica Claridge
Jadynn Conesa
Emilee Schildman
Naomi Gunderson
Makenzie Judah
Taylan Coulter
Freshman
Lexie Brock
Jazlyn Fabela
Charli Dierks
Alyssa Troxell
Hailey Reynolds
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