Gilmer High School cheer received a final tune-up ahead of its biggest competition so far.
GHS traveled to Chestatee High School last Saturday and achieved its highest score of the season.
It was close at the top of the standing as only four points separated the second through fifth place teams. Gilmer cheerleaders scored a 75 to finish fifth out of six teams in its division. The score was a 23-point improvement from the week prior.
“That was really telling for me as a coach that we were able to close that gap,” head coach Naomi Esparza said.
“Looking at our routine in a very analytical way, there are always things you want to fine-tune, but I feel like they’re well on their way. From the last competition to this one, we made some changes, and I think the judges responded well to those changes.”
Next up is the region/sectional event Saturday in Morgan County. If GHS cheerleaders place in the top eight of the 12 teams in their session, they will advance to state the following weekend.
“The girls are making improvements and doing the things we’re asking them to do,” Esparza said. “Going into region, we want to continue to fine-tune some of those things to be really able to have a good score. We value progress over perfection, and as long as they’re improving every week, that’s all I care about. They’ve been doing that.”