Last year the team competed and secured the ninth-place spot, bringing home the honor of being ranked one of the top 10 cheer squads in the state. 

 

Frenship High School Varsity Cheer Coach Kayci Smith said this year her squad is ready to compete again for the state title against more than 70 6A cheer squads across Texas.

 

"Last year after we competed so well and did so good, you'd think we would've celebrated and taken a break," Smith said. "That next morning at breakfast, the planning started for this year. The girls were ready to take our program to the next level, so we have been planning and preparing since literally January of last year."

 

Smith said after this year's squad was formed from cheer tryouts last March, the conversation started about the Spirit State Championship, and the planning process was always top priority.

 

"We really put UIL in the center of all of our routines this year and even game days during Football season this year," Smith said. "We have really been focusing on this because these girls and guys truly want this. They take so much pride in it."

 

At the UIL Spirit State Championship, teams first compete in the preliminary contests. The top 25 from the preliminary round will then advance to the finals round.

 

"You get two shots at it," Smith said. "You compete in prelims to 'make state,' and then you compete in finals to place."

 

Smith explained that she is taking her entire team of 37 athletes, from the Freshman level to the Varsity level. 

 

"You can only have 30 on the mat," Smith said. "We have more than that, but the thing that I love is that I have true alternates. I have used each one of them at practice because they are the ones that really step up and help us out when we have injuries or sickness."

 

Smith said this year her squad creates a list of goals each year in tiers.

 

"Our first goal is always to go and perform to the best of our ability no matter where we place," Smith said. "Our next goal is to make the finals and represent Frenship at that level. Our last goal is obviously to place in finals, but I make sure that my team is realistic with it by setting obtainable and buildable goals."

 

Smith said she is always so impressed with her athletes' dedication and devotion to their craft.

 

"I have soccer players. I have wrestlers. I have basketball players. I have students involved in student council and FCCLA and FFA," Smith said. "When I said we would have morning practices, I thought I would get a lot of grumbling and frustration, but every Tuesday since the start of the school year we have come in at 7:00 a.m. and they are doing it with a smile on their faces. Even when I try to cancel to give them a break, they ask when we are going to make up that practice."

 

Smith said that her squad is excited to go and compete, and hopefully bring home top honors.

 

"This is so important to them," Smith said. "I want this for them so bad. Their work ethics are outstanding and unmatched."