RDC Cheer to compete at State Saturday
- Shanda Crosby
- 12 hours ago
- 3 min read
The RDC Junior High cheer team is heading to the state competition for the first time since 2019, marking an exciting milestone for the program and a proud moment for our school community.
For third-year head coach Ashley Maxam, the moment was a long time coming.
“It’s been several years since the team has even competed in the KAPOS region and state competition,” she said. “It has been my goal to start competing in this competition again, and we did it this year and were able to win regions and make it to the state competition.”
RDC Cheer will travel to Bowling Green this weekend to compete against the best super-large junior high cheer teams in the state, groups with 24 to 30 members, all chasing the same goal.
The journey began when RDC was announced as region champs. “Our reaction was pure joy and excitement,” Coach Maxam said. “There were tears of happiness and lots of hugs.”
Behind that moment was months of preparation for a demanding 2.5-minute routine packed with partner stunts, pyramids, jumps, tumbling, a cheer, and overall impression.
“In general, many don’t realize how much time and energy is dedicated to not only just games but our team preparing a 2.5 minute routine to take to competition,” Coach Maxam said. “It is much more technical and challenging than what people see from the sidelines at games.”
For 8th grader Kennedy Arvin, stunting is the heart of cheerleading. “I love the thrill and the teamwork it requires,” she said. “The satisfaction of finally getting them up and hitting consistently is the best part.”
When the team hit “zero” at regionals — meaning no major deductions — Kennedy and her teammates barely had time to notice. They were locked into their own moves, trusting the rest of the team to do the same.
“We get in our ‘cheer state’ and we just do what we need to do,” explained Kennedy. “We don’t realize we hit zero until the routine is over. It’s a great feeling.”
First-year cheerleader Harper Cecil, a 7th grader, said the team has practiced hard and is ready for state.
“We have great teamwork and having consecutive practices really helps us a lot,” she said. “By the end of all these practices, we will be ready for state.”
For Coach Maxam, the run to state is about more than trophies. It’s about building a foundation.
“A dominant cheer program at the high school level often starts with having a strong and successful middle school program, and I hope we continue to build from the bottom up,” she said. “It is my goal to continue building a competitive program where cheerleaders leave here more confident and feel accomplished in what they’ve learned.”
Clearly, it’s working.
Also region champs, GRC will compete at KHSAA State in January.
RDC takes the floor at 10:08 a.m. Saturday (12/20) at Bowling Green High School. Watch live on PrepSpin with one price for all-day access.
With little time left before the big day, the girls are practicing hard in order to execute the best routine possible. No matter what happens Saturday, RDC Cheer has created something special.
“The program we are building is defined by teamwork, respect, determination, and hard work," Coach Maxam said. "Our success isn’t measured just by the wins but also by how much these girls enjoy cheerleading and learn from our failures and successes.”