The Tracy High cheer competition team headed to Vegas for Nationals on Feb. 27, and returned on March 1, bringing home third place out of the six teams.

Although the girls are overjoyed returning from nationals, there was a lot of work beforehand that had to be put in to get them there.  Everything about their routine and stunts had to be practiced to perfection.

“The team prepared for competition by going through each section piece by piece,” senior captain Kayla Wilson said.

“We practiced at least four hours a week, and the work we had to put in was not easy,” senior captain Tayler Krolczyk said.

Each girl came upon their own struggles they needed to overcome as nationals neared.

“We struggled a little bit with every section, but with more practice we were able to perfect each part,” senior captain Mariya Cortez said.

“My tumbling was the only think I struggled with, but as I practiced more, I began to feel more confident,” Wilson said.

“A major thing I was concerned with was making sure my team and I had the routine down to perfection,” Krolczyk said.

With so much on the line, it was bound that the nerves were going to get to the girls.

“I became extremely nervous as soon as we arrived, knowing the performance was coming up,” Cortez said.

“I was nervous to perform because I wanted everything to hit perfectly,” Wilson said.

“I was both nervous and excited for the girl’s performance,” Coach Lauren Ortega said.  “Knowing how it feels to be in their shoes makes it nerve racking, but the atmosphere in the arena is electric so it makes it really exciting.”

When they arrived to the competition the girls were exposed to whole new surroundings.

“The atmosphere was super optimistic and all I could see were cheerleaders, from little girls to high school teams and world teams,” Cortez said.

“Everything was so exciting, and I didn’t want to leave,” Wilson said.

The girls claimed that competition this year became so different compared to the previous year.

“This year, we were placed at a higher level, so it was a good challenge for us,” Wilson said.

“This year was very different from last year because last year we had a team of 12 and this year we have a team of 22, and this team just bonded together so well,” Krolczyk said.

“Every year is a different dynamic because there are new members coming onto the team and veterans who have graduated but we are truly blessed to coach such an amazing group,” Ortega said.

No matter the outcome of Nationals, the team was proud of its performance and ability to come together as a team.

“The showmanship and energy were great in the routine, we couldn’t have asked for anything better,” Ortega said.

“We have a team full of heart, determination, and a lot of talent,” Cortez said.

“I couldn’t be any more proud of the team, we did an amazing performance,” Wilson said.