INDIANAPOLIS — Coach Brenda Jamerson’s final instructions before the Pendleton Heights cheerleaders took the stage at the finals of the Indiana State Fair cheer competition Saturday, Aug. 12, were to have fun and enjoy the moment.
At the end of the routine, perched high atop their final formation and held aloft by her teammates, senior Riley Tomey seemed to embody that advice as she smiled broadly and emphatically pumped her fist in the air.
The performance was magnificent, and the mission was accomplished.
The Arabians won both divisions they had entered — the junior varsity and the small varsity with music — including the fourth-straight state fair championship for the varsity squad. The Arabians won three titles in 2013-15. The 2016 contest was rained out.
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The flawless finals performance for the varsity was met with jubilation from the coaching staff standing just offstage and came after a preliminary routine that had a bobble or two earlier in the day.
Jamerson said the problem had been corrected, and her group is ready to prepare for fall competitions later in the year.
“It sets the tone for the year,” Jamerson said. “But we’ve had some struggles with being strong when it really matters. But we broke down that wall — that’s why we were really excited.”
Tomey said her display of emotion at the end of the performance was the culmination of hard work and the ultimate execution of the routine.
“It was really awesome, because we’ve been working so hard, especially the last two weeks,” Tomey said. “It was nice to come together as a team and feel that moment at the end of the routine, where it’s like a breath of fresh air because we finally did it.”
Not to be outdone, the junior varsity squad also collected first place in its division. Freshman Olivia Link said it was important to her that the JV team also contribute to the tradition of Pendleton Heights cheerleading.
“It’s so rewarding after all the hard work by everyone,” Link said. “To be a part of this tradition, it’s really great.”
Jamerson said she was happy with the performance of both teams and was proud with the effort, no matter where they placed.
“JV and varsity, they proved that everything we’ve been working on was worth it,” Jamerson said. “They were soaking it in and making themselves better athletes. I’m just ecstatic.”