Panther cheer and dance has completed a state title sweep.
After months of spurring on their classmates and attending their own competitions, Franklin High School and Macon Middle School recently took part in the N.C. Cheerleading Coaches’ Association State Championships. In the last act of their competitive seasons, they earned state titles in three different divisions.
“Us and the middle school got together, because this was their first time ever competing at the state championship. We set it up and filmed our teams doing their routines, and then we sent it in and waited,” said FHS head coach Lynn Baker. “Our entire program swept it, which was really exciting. It was [MMS’s] first time and they competed in the Game Day division, which was really cool. We got together and worked with them and did choreography for them, so that meant a lot too. [MMS head coach Kelsy Houston] is actually one of my athletes from back in the day, and so to see her get to do that with her team meant a lot to me as well.”
In their first-ever state competition in the Game Day division, MMS exceeded all expectations. At the high school level, FHS met an even loftier goal.
“The kids won two divisions, Traditional and Game Day. We’ve never done that before,” said Baker. “We just started competing in the Game Day division a couple of years ago, so that was really exciting because the Game Day division takes into account more of what the team is doing at games. It was fun. I’m really proud of them, of they worked really hard.”
Having won their division in last year’s Traditional competition (a high-energy showcase of choreographed stunts and dance) and placed second in their Game Day division (which features crowd-leading cheers that teams might use in their own stadiums), FHS continued their most successful multi-year run in history. After traveling to Davie County High School for last year’s event however, this year’s competition featured a much different format.
“If you remember that really bad snowstorm we had, that was the weekend that it was supposed to take place,” said Baker. “They were going to cancel it, and then came together to figure out and put in place a plan so that they didn’t have to cancel it. That was what they could figure out and make happen so that everybody in the state could still compete for their state championship.”
Despite filming their submissions from the comfort of their own gym, both teams sought to replicate past competitions as closely as possible, giving themselves just one take to perform complex routines. Immediately after finishing, both teams felt confident about their chances.
“Oh my goodness, yes,” said Baker of whether the teams were happy with their submissions. “The kids were really excited; we got a good video for both routines. They were just grateful for the opportunity and that the association was able to come together and make it happen for them.”
After submitting their videos, the Panthers were forced to endure a three-week wait as several NCCCA judges took part in the Universal Cheerleaders’ Association High School Nationals in Orlando. Despite competing in the D1 large school division, which featured schools with many more students than Franklin, Baker and Houston finally received good news.
“I asked the kids how they wanted to know, and they said ‘Coach, as soon as you know, we want you to send us a message,” said Baker of the team’s shared text thread. “So I sent the group a message, and they were going crazy; they were ecstatic. They were so excited because we’ve never won both divisions, and they’re double state champions.”
Baker to step down as coach
As two of the state’s most decorated teams, FHS and MMS brought their competition seasons to the best possible end. For one person in particular, the titles were especially meaningful.
“What a way for me to go. I’m excited to end it with a double state championship; that’s awesome,” said Baker, who plans to step down as head coach. “I‘m going to spend some more time with my family. I’ve got this little boy, and it’s so true what they say: when you know, you know. It’s just time to step back and invest in my little boy. He’s wanting to get into sports and all the things, and so I think that’s important. We’re just going to embrace this and see where God leads me.”
Since taking over the program in 2018, Baker has led the team to a remarkable run of success, including three NCCCA titles, four straight trips to the UCA Nationals, and various other individual and team awards. While her team was sad to hear the news, she said she they don’t need to say goodbye.
“We made the decision back in December right before Christmas, and so the team were the first people that I told because I thought it was important that they knew,” she said of the joint decision between herself, her husband Rex and their son Lane. “So, we spent the rest of the season just soaking it in, making memories and all of that good stuff. ... I think those relationships that I built with people stick out the most, and just knowing that this sport is something that we’ll be connected through forever.”