Two seniors join All-State cheer squad

Every year about 200 cheer enthusiasts compete for a spot on the All-State cheer team. Jumping, dancing and cheering their hearts out, they practice diligently to earn a spot on the squad. Space is limited, as only 25 people are allowed on the All-State cheer team. This year, two CFHS students became a part of this elite cheer squad: seniors Kamrin Rogers and Sophia Tognetti.

At the tryouts in October, students perform a dance that was given to them two weeks before. Additionally, they will also be given a cheer to learn on the spot. Finally, they will be asked to do a series of jumps and, if they can, some tumbling. Once gaining their spot, students will then practice once a month leading up to the boys state basketball game where they will perform at half-time.

“This is my 11th year coaching,” cheer coach Sam Doyle said. “Having cheerleaders on All-State is super important and exciting to me. I also made All-State twice, and it is definitely a big accomplishment.”

Rogers is one of the talented athletes that will perform in the All-State cheer Squad. At three years old she began tumbling. Eventually, once reaching junior high, she began cheerleading.

Reaching high school, Rogers tried out for All-State cheer her sophomore year and was awarded a spot on the team. Although she didn’t try out her junior year due to a packed schedule, she is back again her senior year and is excited to be a part of the team.

“It’s a really big honor. Since I had the weekends and free time I was really excited to see if I could make it again,” Rogers said.

Although she is unsure of where her future in cheer is headed, she said she hopes to maybe try out college cheer. 

“I want to try out a more competitive team than a sideline environment, but every college is different, so I need to figure out which one I’m going to go to,” Rogers said.

Tognetti has also embraced her time in cheerleading. Unlike Rogers, who began her tumbling at three years old, Tognetti was a dancer up until her sixth grade year, starting to cheer in seventh grade. 

Being her third year in All-State cheer, Tognetti is ready to give it her best with her fellow athletes. 

“All the girls and guys that make it all have that same goal, that same determination, that same motivation, so we all push each other to do better and become better,” Tognetti said. 

Regarding her future as a cheer athlete, Tognetti said she hopes to cheer in college. She has talked to many coaches and is still figuring out which college is the best for her.

“There are a lot of different divisions you can do. The schools I want to go to compete in Daytona which is a nationals competition,” Tognetti said.