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Published Wednesday, November 18, 2009 in Sports
Northgate's AAAA state title reign continues for third-straight year
The Newnan Times-Herald
The theme for this year's state-championship performance might have been "Magic," but hard work and perseverance have produced a cheerleading dynasty at Northgate High.
Out-distancing their closest competition by a whopping 17 points, Northgate dominated at this year's GHSA Class AAAA Championship held Saturday at the Columbus Civic Center, adding an unprecedented third-consecutive cheerleading championship in the classification, while now setting the bar even higher for 2010.
Coached by Sarah Frazier and choreographed by Happy Hooper, the program now has an opportunity to match a record fourth consecutive state cheerleading title set by a pair of GHSA programs.
No Class AAAA school, however, has accomplished the run Northgate has since finishing as a state runner-up in 2006. That group of then-freshmen have won every trophy in their path since. Along with six seniors, six juniors now carry the torch for the program after Saturday's state title, where as Region 5-AAAA champions Northgate finished well ahead of Ola, Woodland-Cartersville and Loganville.
It's never been tougher, though for Frazier and her girls to maintain their dominance. Preparation for this year's state championships began as early as last spring, shortly after tryouts that established Northgate's 20-girl squad.
This year's Northgate lineup includes seniors Heather Boone, Danielle Devereaux, Kayla Gardner, Jerica Pealor, Krystal Richards and Erin Zauner. Juniors include Ashley Beal, Paige Boose, Ashley Draughn, Lorrie Moen, Erin Tuck and Joni Wiggins. The Lady Vikings' six sophomores are Taylor Courson, Haley Fetherston, Kionna Hanson, Morgan Smith, Taylor Swinney and Carley Vanderwater. Freshmen Morgin Ward and Breanna Burns complete the 2009 championship squad.
After establishing the team's two-minute and 30 second routine and its theme, the summer months were dominated by conditioning and carried on through routine three-hour practice sessions since the beginning of the school.
"We feel like we have to up the ante every year," said Frazier, who just completed her seventh season as coach. "With this sport you go before judges which can be a blessing an a curse. They've come to have big expectations for us and the blessing is that it's pushed us to work harder. The curse is that every year I think they look for us to bring something different. We have an ongoing joke that we're eventually run out of stuff we can do with our flex pieces with the exception of having a girl pull her leg off and show it to them."
The cheerleading season is concentrated on just two meets -- region and state. The GHSA's eight region champions automatically advance to the state finals, while 24 remaining squads vie for eight remaining positions at sectionals.
Together, the two routines amount to just five minutes on the mats. But executing at the opportune time is a challenge in itself. Two days before this year's Region 5-AAAA meet at Mary Persons High, a starting squad member went down with an ankle injury, forcing the team to adjust.
"That's something these girls know and train for," said Frazier. "We can't let it be an excuse not to perform at our best."
Frazier, whose favorite thing is to put together the squad's stunts and pyramids, could not have asked for a more perfect performance on Saturday. The near-flawless routine featured a soundtrack that included Olivia Newton John's "Magic," Steve Miller Band's "Abracadabra" and The Police's "Every Little Thing She Does is Magic."
The aura might have felt all too perfectly.
"It just felt right (Saturday)," said Frazier of Saturday's championship atmosphere. "I talked with our seniors before we performed and we all said that there was just something in the air. It all came together during warmups."
And next year, Northgate's dynasty will look to put it all together again for consecutive state title No. 4.
On the net: You can watch Northgate's championship routine by logging on to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-g65OsfPTk
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Its pretty hard to read the first paragraph on the internet. And people not from this town might not know the history of the NGHS cheerleaders.
Posted by Think about it at 10:42 PM
I assume our readers can read ... it's clearly stated in the first paragraph.
Posted by Chris Goltermann at 1:55 PM
Most people don't think of cheerleading champions this time of year. The headline makes it appear Northgate won the state football championship. Next time clear state it was the cheerleading team that won.
Posted by Think about it at 5:45 PM
If you can't complain about football then you complain about something else. Girls, Congratulations from a Newnan Cougar. You worked hard you deserve to be champion. Everyone of these other bozos complaining about you can't seem to handle anyone being successful. It is not even worth waisting your breath trying to discredit them. They do that themselves. Enjoy being Champion. I hope we are able to join you soon with a football title. Sports are really heating up in Coweta County and we all should be proud of one another for the things we do. Stop the whining and complaining please.
Posted by David at 12:08 PM
Judges not play decide the winner. Dancing with the stars. Northgate has to have something to crow about. Baseball and girls so called sports are it. How is that football search coming along.
Posted by Contest winner at 10:31 AM
bthrower has posted a winner!
Lets see;
Group Activity - check
physical exertion - Double check
skill - Oh yea! Tons
Governed by rules - GHSA / check
If it looks like a sport and fits the description of a sport, it must be a SPORT!
Sorry sportsGUY and Booby! The proof is in black and white, and the RINGS!
Posted by SportsGal at 12:55 AM
hmmm... I think you should have spent a little more time watching the football games than the cheerleaders. What exactly did you see to be so enthusiastic about?? Don't lay that on those girls. I know for a fact many of them had rather cheer for the football games than compete, so yes, it is just YOU.
Posted by NG Fan at 12:19 AM
SPORT: an individual or group competitive activity involving physical exertion or skill, governed by rules, and sometimes engaged in professionally.
Posted by bthrower at 11:49 PM
Spring football. There should not be any spring football either. No other sports besides cheerleading and football can do this. Why is there no couple of weeks for baseball, lacross, tennis, etc. to practice and tryout in the fall? If one sport can practice and tryout out of season, then they all should be able to.
Posted by sportsguy at 10:44 PM
It's a contest that involves some athletisism, not a sport. You're not being opposed by another team. You're not running faster, jumping higher. No one is trying to stop you from scoring. It's all about some judges' opinions. You're not competing against an opponent. About as much of a sport as dancing with the stars. Also, who are they cheering for? No one. The name of the "sport" should be changed.
Posted by bobby at 10:41 PM
Once again; YES! Ever heard of "spring" football?
And it's not "IF" GHSA says it is a sport... GHSA does in fact "SAY" it is a sport! They also provide judges who score each team and determine a CHAMPION for this sport! It's really not hard to comprehend, at least for most people.
Why don't you try and educate yourself on this sport and the GHSA rules and guidelines that govern it before you post? You might come off as someone who is really interested in the sport rather than someone who is really JEALOUS of what this program has accomplished!
Posted by sportsgal at 5:01 PM
I am very proud of you ladies. I just wish everyone that thinks this is not a sport would just come out and practice with you for a month and see just what it takes to be a CHAMPION. I am looking forward to see the team get that 4th ring. Good luck to all and GOD BLESS EVERYONE OF YOU!!!
Posted by Mark at 3:24 PM
Once again; if GHSA says it is a sport, then is it legal for Northgate cheerleading to have tryouts in the spring for a team competing several months later? If it is not legal, then the championship would be forfeited.
Posted by sportsguy at 1:50 PM
Whats REAL are the THREE State Championship Rings these girls now wear!
GHSA says it's a sport. That is good enough for most of the intellectual community in Georgia. I guess there will always be the uneducated opinion, which by the way, you seemed to have mastered!
Posted by Cheer Fan at 12:16 PM
put team together in the spring? For a competition in NOvember? IF it is a GHSA sport, then is this legal? GHSA sports have 2-3 weeks of practice before they start a season. That is it. Your team tries out and is chosen during that short span.
Posted by sportsguy at 12:16 PM
Both are staged. Wrestling has diversity and Northgate does not. Will continue to win the beauty contest. Will take wrestling. A Sport it is not.
Posted by Bubba at 10:45 AM
Cheeleading is about as much a sport as professional wrestling. I fail to see how the two are any different. Both take talent, hard work and athleticism but that does not make them sports.
Posted by Real Sport at 4:12 AM
glad to see Coweta Cnty strong is ALL fascits of GHSA evetns.
Posted by boyblue at 10:37 PM
I have watched the northgate cheerleaders at competitions and football games over the past 3 years. They do in fact have a championship competition squad. I just wish their enthusiasm on Friday nights was the same as it was at competitions. After all, isn't that what cheerleading is supposed to be? Maybe we sould have two seperate squads. One that enthusiastically cheers on Friday nights, and one that performs at competitions. Is it just me or does it seem like most of the squad could care less about cheering at the football games?
Posted by old school at 10:24 PM
Way to go Northgate Varsity Cheerleaders! You made this whole year feel like magic. We are all very proud of how you performed on and off the floor all season long. You continue to demonstrate humbleness with your quiet confidence. We can't wait to see what you can do next year. Thanks to all our wonderful seniors. Good Luck and God Bless You All.
Posted by Patsy Swinney at 12:34 PM
Way to go NGHS cheer!! You guys amaze me year after year. You make us proud to be Vikings! Thanks for all you do to compete with perfection and cheer every Friday night for our football players! We love you!!!!!!!
Posted by Tammy at 12:15 PM
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Congratulations!
12/1/2009
Link To This Comment
Way to Go Northgate Vikings Cheerleasders! Your success and hardwork is greatly appreciated by your community. Every year you strive for perfection and it shows! Well done Ladies & we wish you great things in your future endeavors. You represent your school & your community well. Thank You All!
Posted by Judy Cunningham at 4:06 PM