Winning states four years in a row, the Chantilly cheer team is notorious for their successes. Now, the pressure is on as the team starts to fall into rhythm with their new coach, Kelsey Daiber, who has been coaching for 11 years.
“I was a cheerleader pretty much my whole life,” Daiber said. I cheered in high school and was on a competitive team. We won nationals with UCA.”
This year, other than just winning states, the team hopes to improve the confidence of the team and encourage the cheerleaders to be more positive and uplifting to one another by bringing in a new mindset different from years before.
“I’m hoping to, first and foremost, just change the culture of cheer a little bit and help the athletes become more confident in themselves and work towards a goal of winning for them and not for anyone else,” Daiber said.
According to Brianna Wade, a senior and captain of the team, there’s a big difference in the attitude on the team from previous years. The mentality of her teammates has changed with the addition of the new coach. Daiber has changed the atmosphere of the team and has brought a more constructive attitude than their previous one.
New freshmen also bring new talents including the ability to do special stunts which will enhance the routines and stand out from other teams.
“There’s not a lot of talk from the freshman,” senior Annabelle Cisneros said. “They push the team to work harder with their positive energy and attitude.”
(Saaya Patel)
According to some teammates, this new energy makes practices more productive. The cheerleaders stay after school more to improve routines.
“We’ve been prepping with open gyms and practices and workouts,” Daiber said, “The team comes here to work together and practice to get a routine ready.”
The varsity team has already made it past the first round of the district championship Oct. 16 at South Lakes, placing as the top seed going into the final.The team also placed in first during the second round of districts on Oct. 23 at South lakes. The regional tournament is on Oct. 26. If they place high enough they will make it to the state competition on Nov. 9 at VCU for the fifth year in a row.
“We’re working really hard,” Daiber said, “The girls are all really dedicated and motivated. The team is so capable, there’s a ton of talented athletes.“
The varsity cheer team performs at all Friday night football games and will be at all upcoming competitions.
