A local co-ed cheer team was ecstatic following their performance at one of Canada’s largest cheerleading competitions.
The Edwin Parr Composite (EPC) cheer team placed third at the prestigious Alberta Cheerleading Association Championship held over the weekend at West Edmonton Mall’s ice arena.
The event went off without a hitch, despite more than 30 teams pulling out of the competition amidst threats made by a terror group via an internet video. More than 150 teams in various categories participated in the event.
EPC’s head coach Barb Lachance explained in an interview Saturday the entire team, including the coaching staff, were a bit overwhelmed after the judging was complete and the results showed the team made the top three in their category.
“All of the teams that we were competing with are very close,” she said.
“Everyone was so excited and happy with our finish and our score of 93.5. This is a huge confidence boost. The team was fabulous.”
And EPC could very well have ended up in top spot, as the difference from first to third was only 1.4 points.
“The deductions we had were little things, like a hand on the floor,” added Lachance.
“It’s been a challenge and I don’t quite know how to describe what they have accomplished.
“I guess its like that pride a parent has when their child reaches the level of ability where you know they can do well at,” explained Lachance.
“They had a strong performance and now they can comprehend what it takes to reach that next level.”
And that next level is the senior high school provincials at Oscar Romero High School in Edmonton Mar. 20 and 21.
Lachance explained that the coaches will go over what the judges had to say in their scoring comments to see what they need to work on.
“Having the judges comments after the event is a good tool and will make the team better for the next event,” she said.
“It will help them be more prepared for the provincials and see where improvements can be made. As coaches, we are all very pleased and proud of what they have accomplished so far.”
Lachance added though, the score they achieved on the weekend made some of the other teams they will be competing against at the provincials sit up and take notice.
