Hard work, dedication led to state dance and cheer championships

The Lovell High School cheerleading squad clinched a three-peat as the team won the Game Day Cheer competition at the Wyoming State Spirit Competition earlier this year in Casper.

Along with the cheer team, the LHS dance team also claimed first place in the Hip Hop Dance competition.

“To have seen all the hard work, dedication and teamwork come together how it did was just incredible,” LHS cheer coach Nicole Hendershot said. “I couldn’t have been more proud of these athletes.”

Cheer captain Whitney Hendershot recalled what winning the state championship meant to her.

“It felt amazing to win three years in a row,” she said. “But it’s not just about the wins - it’s about all of the practice, the stunting fails and how we’ve had each other’s backs through all of it.”

She added, “We have had three different teams come and go, and with each one, we’ve kept pushing forward and getting better. Winning again shows that hard work and believing in each other really pays off.”

DANCE

Lovell High School dance coach Kari Angell felt like she knew from day one that this group of girls were going to do big things this year.

“They had the talent, work ethic and intensity of a winning team from the start. They quickly bonded as a team and kept the cohesiveness throughout the entire season,” Angell said. “The girls treated each other as equals, constantly helping and pushing each other to be better. Seeing them work so hard and grow together as a team has been truly heartwarming and rewarding.”

Angell also credited team captains Anastyn Leithead and Ella Spanier as huge assets this season. 

“They led the team with nothing but positivity, encouragement and respect,” she said. “Their positive influence of hard work and dedication reflected on their teammates.”

She felt like winning that state championship was the icing on the cake of an already incredible season.

“Seeing the pure excitement on their faces when their name was announced was such a rewarding feeling, and I am so proud of their accomplishments this season,” Angell said.

When asked what the championship meant to her, Spanier said, “This championship meant everything. We’ve spent the last three years working our butts off and just falling short every time. Hearing your team announced for that championship title is a crazy feeling, one I’ll definitely never forget.”

She claimed that the team this year was amazing.

“Everyone genuinely wanted to be on the team, and the bonds we made created a family. The bond pushed us to fight for the win,” Spanier said.

Leithead concurred with Spanier about how much the state championship meant to her. 

“I’ve been a part of this team all four years of high school and have seen everyone put so much hard work and effort into this,” Leithead said. “This was an amazing way to end off my senior year, and I couldn’t imagine doing it with anybody else.

“We have created amazing relationships with each other and have worked together to reach this goal of ours. These girls have grown so much over this year alone, and I couldn’t be more proud of all that we have accomplished.”