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Mt. Pleasant cheerleading takes 5th at state
Andy Krutsinger
Nov. 11, 2021 10:26 am
DES MOINES — More than 100 schools competed either in person or virtually in the annual Iowa high school cheerleading competition over the weekend, and the Mt. Pleasant squad made up for lost time with a fifth-place finish.
The Panthers, who competed in person, took fifth in the Class 3A Cheer/Dance category, a nice reward for making the trip.
“We are extremely happy with this placement,” said Mt. Pleasant cheer coach Nikole Keaster. “I am extremely proud of them as individuals and as a whole.”
The 2020 competition saw a shift due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This was the first time high schools could compete live since the 2019 competition.
“It was just so surreal to experience it all, and cheer other teams on,” said Mt. Pleasant’s Josie Gilmore in an interview with KCCI television. “It was just such a cool experience.”
Mt. Pleasant’s squad struggled with multiple quarantines in the weeks leading up to the competition. The Panthers’ first full team practice since Homecoming happened one day before the state competition.
“I don’t feel there are many teams in the state that could have pulled off what our girls did with their routine, with all the obstacles we endured this season,” Keaster said.
The Panther cheerleading squad has a long history of competing well at State. Mt. Pleasant also has been selected to cheer at past state basketball tournaments, and in 2019, three Mt. Pleasant graduates competed at the National College Cheerleading and Dance Championship with Northern Iowa.
And the Panthers’ work isn’t done yet. The 2022 state meet is already on the minds of Coach Keaster.
“We are fired up and ready for next year,” Keaster said.
The Mt. Pleasant cheerleaders pose with their trophy after finishing fifth place in the Class 3A Cheer/Dance category at the state competition this weekend. (Submitted)
Panther cheerleaders huddle up backstage at the 2021 Iowa High School State cheerleading competition over the weekend. (Submitted)
The Mt. Pleasant cheer team poses for a picture at the 2021 Iowa High School state cheerleading competition over the weekend. (Submitted)