The Haines Glacier Bears cheer team placed first at the Region V basketball tournament in Ketchikan to earn back-to-back titles. The team was judged based on their cheers during Haines basketball games and their performance at a separate dance competition.
The team’s dance routine began with the cheerleaders lined up in the middle of the gym. When the music began, juniors Uriel Bravo and Owen McPhetres lifted seniors Natalie Jobbins and Taylor Ganey, respectively. With Aubrey Cook in the middle of the gym and her teammates on both sides, the team performed two kicks before helping Jobbins into a handstand. Jobbins was then flipped so she was sitting on Cook’s shoulders. McPhetres and Bravo helped lift Jobbins up and she remained in the air as Ganey danced in front of the stunt.
After about 10 seconds, Jobbins was flipped out of the air and onto her feet. The team then cheered “Green, White” and “Let’s Go Bears” with the crowd. The team finished off their routine with several rolls, cartwheels, and shoulder sits.
Jobbins said she was filled with relief when Haines was announced as the Region V champions. “I felt like I couldn’t breathe for a minute and then as soon as it really sunk in, I was relieved,” Jobbins said. “We worked so hard for it. It was like I could finally relax and be proud.”
Ganey said this year’s win felt even better than last year’s victory. “Since last year was judged virtually, I was worried that if we didn’t win it would look like last year was a fluke,” Ganey said. “Our win this year showed me that we were capable of doing it.”
The team said they all wanted to win for head coach Natalie Benassi. “The real reason I wanted to win was for my team and Mrs. Benassi,” said Cook. The cheerleaders all said they’ve enjoyed having her as a coach.
Coach Benassi said that judges offered knowledgeable feedback when assessing the team’s routine. “They started by saying that their comments were not to nit-pick,” said Benassi, “but to help us be better. They loved our routine and really enjoyed watching our performance. They said it looked like we really enjoyed being there and looked like we had a lot of fun. They also congratulated me on using the whole team and that I used everyone to their strengths.”
Benassi highlighted the contributions of the squad’s three seniors. “They were driven to win,” said Benassi. “They kept everyone motivated, focused, and clean. It’s a bittersweet feeling because I am going to miss them so much. More than anything, I wanted this win for them. They deserved this win for all their hard work and love of this sport.”
The seniors said they’re hopeful for the future of Haines’ cheer team. “Now that the cheer team has won a regional title two years in a row,” said Ganey, “I’m hoping that cheer will look more appealing to future and current high schoolers. I hope that people join and realize that it’s so much more than wearing a skirt and plastering a smile on your face. Mrs. Benassi is a great coach who’s capable of accomplishing much more, so hopefully she’ll have a team to do so with her.”