WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2018
FEATURES
Umatilla High School Cheer team competes at state
A
s the Umatilla High School cheer
team flipped and tumbled its
way to the state competition this
weekend, they were proud of what
they had done.
“For most of these kids, it’s their
first year doing cheer,” said coach
Randi Garrett on Friday, the day
before the team headed to state. “And
we’re first-year coaches.”
The team of 16 — 10 girls and six
CRYPTOQUIP
boys — competed at Veterans Memo-
rial Coliseum in Portland this week-
end for a shot at the OSAA state title
in the large school co-ed division.
Though the team did not place in the
state competition, they were pleased
with their progress. They performed
a two-and-a-half minute routine, fea-
turing tumbling, dance, jumps, stunts
and a cheer.
Though they keep a smile on their
faces the whole time, cheerleaders
said the sport is more strenuous than
many think. The team meets at 5 a.m.,
to accommodate their other extracur-
ricular activities.
“It’s really challenging,” said
Courtney Daniel, a sophomore. “I
don’t think people realize that. We
have football players as our stuntmen,
and even they agree — it’s different
than anything they’ve done.”
SUPER CROSSWORD: HEARTFELT WISH
HERMISTONHERALD.COM • A15
Clockwise from top left: 1) Stuntmen Trenton
Morin, Tristan Cole and Darian Smith lift
fellow cheerleader Courtney Daniel while
performing the state routine at the pep
rally Friday at Umatilla High School. 2) The
Umatilla High School cheerleaders run into
the gym after being announced during a pep
rally. 3) Umatilla senior cheerleader Maria
Fernanda Hernandez leads a class cheer-
off with her fellow teammates during a pep
rally. 4) Junior cheerleader Hope Digregorio
decorates the gymnasium before the start of
a pep rally.
STAFF PHOTOS BY E.J. HARRIS
SUDOKU
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