Republic’s cheer team spent the season adjusting on the fly — new roles, new formations, and a routine that never quite stayed the same. By the time they stepped onto the mat at the Missouri Cheerleading Coaches Association competition, all the changes had settled into a clean, zero-deduction routine that carried them to fifth place in the Class 5 Large Division.
“Hitting a zero-deduction routine at state was an indescribable feeling,” senior Izzy Collins said. “Our team faced many hardships this year and we had several moments of doubt… For me personally, this was the first out of my four years I had received a plaque at state. I can confidently say that the moment that our final pyramid structure hit, it was the first time I had felt like a true winner.”
Senior Gracie Shanks focused on the people around her. “What made hitting zero so special to me was not only the fact that it was my senior year, but also because of the people I hit it with,” she said. “Getting that deduction sheet back was something to be proud of, and taking home a plaque just made it even better.”
The clean routine capped off a week that showed the team’s late-season progress. “The week before state really showed me how much we had grown as a team,” Shanks said. “Between each rep or fullout, we laughed and cheered for each other, and constantly reminded each other that the fact that we were here, right now, working for state, was enough to be proud of.”
Senior Claire Searcy saw the change during one of the final practices. When coach Kaylin Glenn told the team they’d have to alter their routine again because of a roster change, Searcy and her teammates accepted it. “No one was being negative. It was like there was this random shift in everyone’s minds and we just accepted what was happening and we went with it,” she said. “I believe that most of us genuinely had fun at practice and stayed positive. The majority of us realized that a negative mindset isn’t going to help us in any way.”
Searcy said the final two weeks of preparation were “physically and mentally challenging,” with at least five changes to the routine over that time. One of the season’s biggest late adjustments came when Lilly Bell was asked to move into a base role in the pyramid on short notice.
“Lilly was asked to base in pyramid, despite being a backspot,” Shanks said. “She had to not only learn new counts and motions, but a completely new position just days before we hit the mat. Lilly stepped up… she was very coachable, hardworking, positive, and truly one of the best athletes out there.”
Each senior leaves behind something different for the younger athletes.
“I always want people to know they can talk to me and that I support them,” Searcy said. “Whenever I notice one of my teammates is off I always try to check up on them and let them know I am there for them. I hope that my humor and my caring heart is left with this team.”
Shanks hopes the group holds onto the lighter moments. “Cheerleading doesn’t always have to be go, go, go,” she said. “Stop and have fun at practice, laugh with your teammates, and make hundreds of memories.”
Collins said she hopes this year teaches younger teammates to keep a positive perspective in the face of challenges. “Families fight, families laugh, and families grow together. I am so proud of these younger girls and can’t wait to watch them succeed when I move on to my next chapter,” she said.
Republic earned its best state finish since 2021. Shanks summed it up simply: “I really think that we left a piece of our legacy out on the mat that day.”
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