LFO hoping to go forward by taking it back
In Fort Oglethorpe, the LFO cheer team has been hard at work despite a difficult early start to the season.
“This cheer season has definitely been a challenging year,” said head coach Becky Adcox. “We have faced struggles with illnesses, injuries, and quarantines. Unfortunately, COVID quarantines kept us from participating in our first two competitions in December.”
However, the Red-andWhite were able to push through and came away from its first competition
of the season on Jan. 16 with a second-place showing at the Pepperell High School Cheer Classic.
Adcox has plenty of veteran cheerleaders taking the mat this season, several of whom were part of a Region 6-AAA championship team in 2019.
Juleigha Boynton, Jayna Carver, Raine Hollis and Lexi Ward make up this year’s senior class, while the juniors feature Maci Gouvitsa, LaShana Palmer, Frankie Robninette and Trula Robinette.
A solid group of underclass
men begin with sophomores Allie Rogers, Maddy Thomas and Rachel Wilson, while this year’s freshmen contingent includes Brooke Gowan, Ava Henderson, Abby Henry and Sam Miller.
The team is kicking it oldschool this season with what Adcox calls “a throwback to the 90’s”, featuring hits songs from the decade. The coach said they have also upped the ante by adding more difficulty to the competition routine.
“We begin with standing tumbling and continue the intensity until the end,” she explained. “We incorporated several transitions, full-ups, and switch-ups in our pyramid and maximized floor space
with our cheer and jumps. Our elite stunt involves switch-ups and multiple body positions and our routine ends with running tumbling, baskets, and our dance.
“It’s definitely a fast-paced and intrinsic routine that forces our squad to push themselves at every single performance.”
Adcox also added that her athletes have taken the challenge to heart.
“The girls have really pushed themselves at practices in efforts to prepare for competition,” she continued. “Our biggest focus right now is perfecting our routine so we can showcase our talent at regions.”