Ridgeland hoping to ride recent momentum into state finals
The Black-and-White not only have cheer fans around the state buzzing about their new uniforms, but the athletes wearing those uniforms are also turning heads as the Ridgeland program continues to be one of the most up-and-coming programs in Georgia.
Head coach Abby Bates said that “without a doubt” this year’s routine is the most difficult one in the history of the program and that they used the delayed start to the season to expand their skill sets and refine their older ones.
“We have more tumbling than we ever had, plus more experienced bases and more experienced flyers,” Bates explained. “We are extremely thankful and excited to (finally) start our season.”
Among the early-season highlights is a first-place finish at the Ringgold Tiger Christmas Classic, in which Ridgeland posted the second-highest score of the day and the highest competition score in the history of Ridgeland’s competition cheer program.
The Panthers are led by one lone senior in Michelle Thomason and a quartet of juniors in Kaitlyn Boller, Kirstyn
“Mckenzie” Brown, Cady Crawford and Rylee Hughes. Emily Cisco, Lori Smith and Selena Westmoreland make up the sophomore class, while a large and talented group of freshman feature Keresa “Maddie” Brown, Mallory Gibson, Isabelle McGill, Haven Gray, Caleigh Jones, Ragam Wimpee and Alyssa Wright.
Bates said that the main focus of her team has not been simply about creating lifelong bonds, but on making a difference for the betterment of their community.
“This team is amazing,” she said. “They have committed to (our) program for the long haul of the season, but (they) have also committed to serving their community however they can. You could not ask for a better group of students and athletes to represent Ridgeland High School.”
And for the remainder of the season, Bates said avoiding sickness and quarantines is a must, as is continuing to fine tune their routine.
“As a program, we need to focus on being clean, continuing to work (on) skills, as well as staying focused on getting to (state) finals this year,” she added. “We are really determined and want to see this program excel this year. These athletes have worked so hard.”