Badger's cheer team is busy, places in state competition
(Photo Courtesy of BFHS Cheer) Pictured: Hailey Kelsey, Addy Heigel, Brenna Stewart and Gena Kelsey Cheer team after the Timberlake Invitational on Feb. 20.
BONNERS FERRY — The Badgers cheer team is sending four cheerleaders to the state competition on March 19 at the Idaho Ford Center in Nampa.
Hailey Kelsey, Addy Heigel, Brenna Stewart, and Gena Kelsey all qualify for the state cheer competition.
The Badgers will be competing in an all-girl show routine and all-girl stunt group; this is not the first time the cheerleaders have competed, and the badgers have been busy.
On Feb. 6, Bonners Ferry Cheer competed in the Prairie Classic cheer competition in Rathdrum; Badgers placed in many categories.
Badgers were the 3A champions placing first in pom routine, all-girl show routine, all-girl stunt group and placed second in sideline cheer.
According to Head Coach Andria Hedrick, the judges commented, “You did so much with only four athletes” and “Great energy, it feels like there are 20 of you.”
On Feb. 13 in Orofino, the cheerleaders competed in the Maniac cheer-off competition. The team placed first in the all-girl show routine, all-girl stunt group; they also placed second in the all-girl stunt group and sideline cheer.
Judges commented, “You girls are so cute, I couldn’t stop smiling the whole time. Perhaps the best four-person routine I’ve ever seen.”
During the pom routine, a judge commented, “ Fantastic use of floor. Great energy, very sharp and clean.”
The Timberlake Cheer Invitational on Feb. 20 in Spirit Lake saw the team again win first place in all-girl show routine, all-girl stunt group and second place in pom routine and sideline cheer.
After the completion of the show routine, a judge commented, “Beautiful tumbling tucks,” and after stunt group competition remarked, “solid execution, very clean opening leapfrog (stunt).”
The Badgers in district qualifier on Feb. 26 in Lewiston once again placed in the competition. First place in show routine, stunt group and second place in pom routine and sideline cheer.
Judges commented, “Are you all best friends? You seem like you work so well together” and “Your love for cheer is evident by the way you perform.”
According to Hedrick, the cheer team has been busy and has been prepping for competition while also cheering on our many winter sports who have also done well this season.
“2021 has been a busy year for the BFHS Cheerleaders between cheering for boys and girls basketball, preparing for competition, and fundraising, the team of only four athletes have accomplished so much,” Hedrick said, “They have scored higher on their competition routines than most 4A and 5A schools in the North Idaho District.”
According to Hedrick, Bonners Ferry is the smallest cheer team to compete in the North Idaho District, with most teams having over 20 athletes performing for most routines.
The cheer team is also planning an online Mary Kay fundraiser to help pay for uniforms, school spirit supplies and competition costs, with 25% of revenue going directly to the cheerleaders.