The Wilfrid Laurier University varsity cheerleading team has had a season to remember filled with great achievements, dedication and talent.
Known for their presence at Laurier football games, the cheer team amps up the crowd with their impressive stunts, high-flying baskets and spirited cheers.
But their impact goes far beyond game day performances. Behind the scenes, they put in countless hours of practice, tirelessly perfecting every routine to ensure they shine on the competition stage. Their efforts paid off as they took the cheer world by storm this season, proving they are far more than just sideline supporters.
They proved themselves on both national and international stages, taking their routine all the way to Orlando, Florida to compete at the International Cheer Union World Championships.
They competed in both Game Day and Premier divisions, with two separate routines to showcase their skills. They competed against six other teams in the Game Day division, where they placed third with a perfect routine and flawless technique. This earned them the Nations Cup for the highest scoring Canadian Game Day team. The Premier division is highly competitive, with a total of six teams competing. The Golden Hawks placed third with a solid performance. While they had a minor fall in their second stunt, resulting in a 1-point deduction, they recovered quickly and finished the routine with great technique.
Following the World Championships, they took their routine back to Canada with renewed energy and focus, ready to showcase their talent at the Power Cheerleading Athletics National Championships.
Competing in the Game Day and Premier divisions again, they came out on top of both categories. With an impressive overall score of 130.3, the Premier team placed first, coming in about two points ahead of the University of Guelph.
The Game Day team came out ahead of the Brock University varsity team as well, placing first out of two with an overall score of 171.4.
Both teams displayed great technique and were awarded for it, leaving with the title of PCA National Champions.
The Golden Hawks earned the reputation of being one of the strongest university varsity cheerleading teams in Ontario. They redeemed themselves with a stronger performance compared to last year, when they placed third at PCA Nationals. This year, they proudly took home the title of PCA National Champions, a testament to their dedication and growth as athletes.
They will continue to build their reputation for both competitive success and spirit-building at school events as they start training for the next season. Try-outs, held on May 10, will be the beginning of a new journey for a new group of Golden Hawks hoping to follow in the footsteps of the 2024-25 season athletes and earn the title of National Champions.
Contributed Photo/519 Sports Online
