Making Georgia All-State Cheer Squad During COVID-19
Everything has been drastically changed this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. Months after the first round of quarantine began in April, the virus is still viral, and the world is still feeling its wrath. So, we’ve had to adjust in all aspects of life, including in high school sports.
Since 1995, the Georgia Cheerleading Coaches Association has named the top cheerleaders in the state that would make up the Georgia All-State squad, and, more importantly, the Georgia Cheerleader of the Year. With a few extra guidelines in place, and zoom calls taking over as a new normal, the GHSA has let all competitions proceed “like normal.”
A few of the new guidelines for the 2020-21 school year include:
- Judges must be seated 6 feet or more away from each other and from competitors.
- Hand sanitizer will be provided at all events and is also encouraged to be brought by each competitor.
- All meals provided will be individually wrapped or boxed.
The application process for the Georgia All-State squad has been adapted to fit the current environment as well. The applicants have always been judged on scholarship applications, interviews, and performances. This year, the competition turned virtual through video submissions of routines and interviews over Zoom calls. Over 200 applicants submitted a two-minute routine, and 30 of them made it to the final round of interviews. The new protocol is nowhere near desirable, but a few of the girls were still about to light up the screen from their homes.
Out of the 200 applicants, only 16 can be named All-State athletes. This year a quarter of the All-State squad that was chosen is from South Forsyth High School in Cummings, Georgia. South Forsyth seniors Elizabeth Coffin, Sadee Sherrick, Kendall Stephens, and Tori Watkins all represented their school, fighting for the top position of All-State Champion.
Ringgold senior Sydney Logan was also chosen to be part of the squad and hopes to be the champion. Logan’s story is especially inspiring. This February, Logan suffered a devastating tear to her right ACL. To make matters worse, it was the second time that she had torn her ACL in the same leg.
Logan hasn’t let either injury stop her. She worked through rehabilitation over the summer and with her spare time even volunteered at a local nursing home. This just proves how disciplined Logan is both within the sport of cheerleading as well as in other aspects of her life.
“To be good at cheerleading means giving people unconditional support, so I hope to do that the rest of my life,” Logan said.
This positive, can-do attitude is what propelled Logan into the top 16 cheerleaders in the state.
The 2020 Cheerleader of the Year is yet to be announced, with the winner being announced at the state’s annual championships in early 2021. Coffin, Sherrick, Stephens, Watkins, and Logan all have a shot at being awarded that top position. Only time will tell, and in the meantime the girls will continue to compete safely with the new COVID-19 regulations in place.
Written by: Lexi Fitzpatrick
