Clear Creek cheer returns to competitive scene

  • Above are Clear Creek Middle School’s competition cheerleaders. Front row, from left are Jada Howard, Baily Baldwin and Addison Adgate. Middle Row, Samantha Whitley, Lily Thurman and Abbie Flowers. Back row, head coach Megan Rickman, Laci Pruitt, Kelsie Sanford, Maely Prince, Caitlin Henderson and assistant coaches Rachel Davis and Lynn Craig. Not Pictured, Katie Castillo.
    Above are Clear Creek Middle School’s competition cheerleaders. Front row, from left are Jada Howard, Baily Baldwin and Addison Adgate. Middle Row, Samantha Whitley, Lily Thurman and Abbie Flowers. Back row, head coach Megan Rickman, Laci Pruitt, Kelsie Sanford, Maely Prince, Caitlin Henderson and assistant coaches Rachel Davis and Lynn Craig. Not Pictured, Katie Castillo.

    Clear Creek Middle School returned to the competition cheer scene after a five-year hiatus. 

    Cheerleaders began working on their routine in June. They attended the Creekview Classic and South Forsyth Cheer Classic in October before making their way to the Dawson Tiger Cheer Classic in November.

    “We scored higher in each competition, but still were not placing where we would hope to in the future,” said coach Megan Rickman. 

    Middle school competitions are divided into “small-group” or “large-group” categories depending on the number of girls on the floor. CCMS fell into the small-group category. 

    “We started the season with 11 girls, and after the first competition, we only had nine who were able to compete due to unforeseen season-ending injuries,” Rickman said. “Of the 11 girls, only two had ever participated in competitive cheer, and those two happened to be the ones who had the injuries.” 

    Rickman added, “The coaches are very proud of the progress the girls made from June until November. This was a new adventure for all of us, but we all worked very hard to get to where we are now. We will have a good foundation set for next season. 

    “We would like to thank our administration, teachers, sponsors and parents for their continued support. 

    “We would also like to give a special thank you to GHS head coach Naomi Esparza and the GHS cheerleaders for their devotion to our team over the summer and during weekly practices.”