New Home Leopards take home gold 

New Home cheer took home their first ever gold medal Jan. 15 after competing in the state championship in Fort Worth Texas. The team had to have a lot of dedication getting ready for the competition. This was a happy ending for the seniors that they will never forget. 

Sophomore Marley Fogerson talks about what was going through her mind in the last seconds before New Home was announced as the winner. 

“At first it was insane shock and pure happiness,” Marley Fogerson said. “Once it settled in, it was the most amazing feeling because all of the hard work we have been doing finally paid off. It was also so fun that I got to win State with all of my friends.”

Senior Ella Morris said she was excited about accomplishing their goal. 

“The best part about winning state was winning with my best friends and accomplishing our goal that we've been working for.” 

Senior Kellyn Gray, who has competed at state multiple times, said this year felt different.

 “It was unlike any other time that we had competed and done that routine. I think that we all realized and we all looked at each other and knew that we hit,” Gray said.  “We hit better than we've ever done before. We knew that if we could execute, we would do really well at UIL and we did.”

Head coach Traci Ysasaga talks about how the girls made time to prepare for the state competition. 

“Leading up we had to give up our Christmas break. We just did a lot of repetition stuff and made sure the girls knew what they were doing,” Ysasaga said.  “We had to make sure we were going over every little detail until it was perfect. It took a lot of sacrifice and time from the girls.”

In order to omit mistakes from their routine, Coach Tara Fogerson had to be hard on the girls. 

“Lots of early morning practice and if you bust in tumbling you owe us 10 more at the end of practice.” Fogerson said. 

Ysasaga explains how the girls' determination to improve and achieve their goal played a crucial role in their preparation.

“After coming in third place for two years the girls really wanted a gold medal, and I think that's what kept them motivated.” Ysasaga said. 

Even though next year is a rebuilding year, the goal is to still win state. 

“The goal for next season, as it is every season, is to come back with the gold. I think once you win you get a target on your back, and I know that teams are going to be looking at us and coming for us,” Ysasaga said. Our goal is to rebuild since we will be losing six seniors. We will have to go back to the basics with the new girls and work really hard.”

Even still, the coaches are already preparing to mimic this year’s success, despite the new team coming in. 

“We will be losing a lot of experienced girls, so we will have to work the motions and basics for the new girls.” Tara Fogerson adds.