Winter Sports Final Recaps: Hillsdale cheer program sets bar high for 2023-24
HILLSDALE — It was a season of new program highs for the Hillsdale competitive cheer team, led by head coach Tara Scott. Four seniors led the Hornet varsity cheer team to one of their most accomplished competitive seasons in program history. The season came to a close last week, but the team celebrated all of their accomplishments and the seniors that helped them get there.
The team was able to set new program records in their total scores and in their individual round scores. Their success led the team to win their second Tri County Championship in a row. The Hornets won their second Springport Invitational trophy in a row. The Hornets traveled to Clinton and brought home another Invitational win. This was yet another back-to-back Invitational victory for the team.
One of their most coveted wins this season was capturing the Hust at the Hive tournament trophy. The meet is hosted annually at Hillsdale High School. The Hornet competitive cheer team has never won the tournament and has never won in a home event. The win was a big moment for the team and for the three seniors who have been a part of the cheer program since eighth grade and were a part of the first middle school cheer team in Hillsdale.
"These athletes just want validation and respect for their sport from their peers," said coach Scott. "MHSAA competitive cheerleading is a heavily recruited Title IV sport, and they are told quite a bit that what they do isn't a sport. To finally get a win at home was pretty special."
In addition to their season accolades, the team highlighted several of their favorite memories from this season. The team bonded and connected throughout the year with various activities and group events. The team hosted a Christmas party and a Friendsgiving. The team regularly participated in team lunches, theme days and making content for social media. The team enjoyed making trips to their buddy practices with the Onsted or Hudson cheer teams.
The team loses four seniors this year. Hornet Brynn Bigelow was an important part of the team dynamic throughout her time with the cheer program. Brynn's favorite memory from her time with the program were the moments of laughter shared between the student-athletes. She plans to attend Jackson Community College to study psychology. Bigelow has been a strong role model for the younger members of the program and plans to volunteer as an alumni coach next year.
Senior Lily Macy plans to continue her athletic career at Concordia University (Ann Arbor) as a member of the cheerleading program. Macy's favorite memories with the Hornets included taking first place at a tournament for the first time in program history. Macy plans to major in literature and education, after being inspired by one of her teachers at Hillsdale High School.
Senior Cloey Easterday has been a Hornet cheer member for five years. Easterday plans to cheer at Saginaw State University and study criminal justice. Easterday's favorite cheer memories including rolling on the foam rollers.
Senior Kaylynn Luke has been with Hillsdale cheer for four years. Luke plans to attend Sienna Heights University to study criminal justice. Luke's favorite memories from cheering for the Hornets also included the team's first time taking first place in a tournament.
Coach Scott has coached many of these seniors since their eighth-grade seasons. Scott said each senior is like an extended family member and that she is excited to see them carry on the sport into their future.
"I just love them so much on and off the mat. I have been coaching most of these girls since 8th grade. We have been through so much together. I am a huge fan of them as people and not just athletes. They have become like an extended family, and I am their number one fan. I am proud of all of them for deciding to continue the sport in some capacity after high school, and I hope they know I am always here for them. "
In addition to the seniors, coach Scott highlighted several accomplishments from some of the other members of the cheer team. Kiley Hershire completed her back handspring, front walkover this season. Brooklyn Whaley got her standing tuck this season. Coach Scott highlighted Hornet Emily Butterbaugh as the team "clutch" athlete.
"We are a small team so when someone gets sick or injured, we don’t have a lot to work with. Two years in a row, she has had to go at the last minute to fly. She is usually a base and tumbler, but when we have needed her, she has definitely come in clutch."
Coach Scott highlighted how important each member of the team was this season, both on and off the mat. This season was especially tough for the Hornet head coach, who lost her house and two of her pets to a fire. The team rallied around their head coach, putting together a special surprise to help lift the spirits of their head coach.
"These girls and their families rallied around me. After we won at the Hillsdale meet, I went out to lunch with my family. The girls called me and told me to come outside where they had two kittens for me. They organized the whole thing; it was so sweet."
After the end of districts, the team gathered together and reminded each other that their family doesn't end because high school cheer is over for their seniors. The team has collective plans to go watch one of the plays a Hornet cheer member is in. Coach Scott believes this season's team was a special group that will continue to impact the future squads of the Hornet cheer program.
"This team was special and as a coach, and I am so proud of them," said coach Scott. "They are talented athletes and we all clicked together so well this season. I hope anyone who coaches gets to experience a chemistry like this team had, because it will make you never want to stop coaching. I hope their legacy leads to encouraging more girls to try this sport. We aren’t going to stop, and we are going to keep getting better. This program is only growing stronger."
This article originally appeared on Hillsdale Daily News: Hillsdale competitive cheer wraps up season with a total of three tournament wins
