On Oct. 22, the Lakewood Rangers cheerleading team competed in the Cleveland West Conference Cheer Competition (CWC) at Westlake High School. The team took the competition fiercely by the reins and rightfully earned second place overall against the other teams in the competition.
“This group of girls were just so resilient and worked very hard despite every change, which led us to our second placing,” Coach Stephanie Ferrone said. The team left the competition that evening with an unforgettable breakthrough for both the cheer team and the program.
The CWC Cheer Competition was a significant shift for Lakewood Cheer. This year, Lakewood Athletics joined the newly formed Cleveland West Conference alongside Bay Village, Buckeye, Normandy, North Olmsted, Rocky River, Westlake, and Valley Forge, marking the schools’ exit from the Great Lakes Conference (GLC), which they had been part of for the last four years.
“This is the first year we’ve done a competition for the CWC since it’s a new conference,” Coach Ferrone said. “Before this, we had participated in the GLC showcase division for two years.”
In prior years, the GLC Cheer Competition included two divisions: a competitive division and a showcase division. This allowed teams to decide whether they wished to be scored on a competition census or only participate by simply performing their favorite routines for the audience. The CWC Cheer Competition was the first time Lakewood Cheer participated in the competitive division to be scored, and coming in second place overall was a significant accomplishment for both the team and the program.
“After all the competitions that we had in the past years, this one has definitely been a better one,” said senior varsity member Kenla Hamilton, who had competed in the previous three GLC Cheer Competitions before the CWC was introduced.
Alongside the second-place finish, the team scored a few other memorable wins that night. Hamilton secured Top 3 placement in the Jump-Off division of the competition. Additionally, the team selected Claire Noelker and Jana Peterson for First Team. First Team is an MVP award that is given to only one, two, or a few cheerleaders from each team. The award is given to the individuals that the team and coaches agree represent the best qualities and the team overall the most throughout the season.
“My reaction when I got the award was excitement. I wasn’t expecting it,” Noelker said.
The team’s preparation for the competition was nothing short of phenomenal. According to Coach Stephanie Ferrone, the team did not start prepping for the competition until the beginning of October. As a result, they had less than a month to choreograph, teach, and learn new routines and chants for the competition.
“It was chaotic this year, as it’s been for previous years,” Coach Ferrone said. “We’re in the thick of cold and flu season, so we had lots of absences and just having to rework the routine.”
“I thought it was great,” Hamilton said. “I think we did an amazing job. We all worked together as a team and got a very good result.”
The competition was a memorable and positive experience for many on the team. “As soon as I got out there and started performing, it was actually really fun,” freshman Grace Abderrazzaq said. “The games and the dances were also really fun, and it was a great time.” This was Abderrazzaq’s first competition with the Lakewood Cheer team.
“We’ve all improved in so many ways, and we got second place, which is amazing,” Noelker said. “I would have never expected to get that far into the competition.”
As the season continues, Lakewood Cheer prepares for basketball season and additional competitions. They will carry this achievement with them as a motivation and a reminder of their teamwork.
What may be seen as a small victory to others is undoubtedly one for the books for the Lakewood Cheer program and its members. Their determination and willingness to persevere will carry them far in future competitions. This is only the start of their competitive success, as there will be much more to follow with the team and program hereafter.
