The local cheerleading season was almost silenced this year.
It’s hard to believe given the noise coming from a packed gymnasium at Superior Collegiate Vocational Institute Saturday afternoon. The Northern Championships featured 15 club and school teams from Thunder Bay and one from Sioux Lookout. But those school teams almost didn’t get to compete this year as extracurricular activities were cancelled due to a labour dispute between teachers and the province.
“It was definitely frustrating because these girls work so hard,” Ontario Cheer Federation and Superior coach Amanda Maronese said.
But with high school sports back on in the city, the cheering season began.
“Now all these athletes get to participate in a sport they really love,” Maronese said.
St. Ignatius High School coach Laura Racco said she’s happy that grade 12 girls got to compete in their last year. Even without a season, the team planned on putting a performance together for their high school.
“The girls really pulled it together. They had a great attitude, they were positive and they just really tried their best,” she said.
Teams will go on to compete at national competitions taking place later this spring in places like Niagra Falls and Montreal.
Results from the competition will be available later Saturday evening.
