[IISnakE]

It is my opinion that everyone, competing yesterday, entered McBrayer Arena as a CHAMPION. From there, you all know there was not one squad, who did not try their very best to represent their schools, squads, and families to the best of their ability. It was a indeed a long day. The morning session seemed to encounter one "snag" after another, but everyone worked well to pull thru! The injury to the Pikeville cheer leader was one of the most painful things I have witnessed in cheer. The tech judges heard the knee "pop" and I personally, heard the little girl moan and sob for "Miss Stone".... Time was suspended it seemed and everyone hopped into action. The trainer came out immediately as did Miss Stone, the KAPOS President was out there and as soon as the girl couldbe moved, she was. The squad was hustled off the mat and back to the warm-up area almost as soon as it happened. The rest of the squad was visibly shaken. Like The Guru said, Miss Stone went back to the warm up area and whipped that squad back into shape. It was the heart of a CHAMPION that brought those girls thru and a true testament to their desire to succeed.... gutsiest thing I've seen in many years in cheer and I am so proud of them and our Region as a whole! I thought Prestonsburg did a very nice job! It was their first visit to State in many moons, but their first with Coach Ousley. A 5th place finish was MARVELOUS and such a fantastic was to lay the groundwork for future visits! Getting your foot in the door is HUGE, but then being able to build upon that graciously is what everyone aspires to do! A taste of success is an intoxicating thing!
I was proud of Belfry and Phelps! Belfry did a very nice job and competed among some very good squads. Phelps entered this competition in the co-ed division... and may have had some music glitches, but re-grouped and did a good job. They certainly seemed to enjoy themselves and I am sure their coach picked up some ideas and will know exactly what needs to happen for next year, should she opt for co-ed again! Pikeville White... entered the competition as the very last squad in the Medium Division. They took to the mat with eagerness and the spark in their eyes made me know they were ready. (Although entering this competition as National Champions in the Jr High Division @ UCA Nationals, they were competing against older girls. This may not mean a whole lot to the average person, but when competing against the likes of North Laurel, this is a very hard thing to do.) These little girls stepped right up and put it out there! (One thing to remember, when doing stunts and tumbling & so forth, the true champions make everything look easy and perhaps to the untrained eye, there's no difference, but Pikeville White did their best and a 2nd place finish was a MAJOR WIN in the Medium Division! That's my "take" on the 15th... Eastern Kentucky, as a whole... was represented VERY WELL and I'll be even more excited to see what everyone does, as far as re-building, re-loading, and/or repeating next season!!! Congratulations to everyone, who competed in yesterday's event... and more importantly... THANK YOU TO THE GIRLS THEMSELVES FOR ALL THEIR HARD WORK AND DEDICATION, TO THE COACHES FOR ALL THEIR HEART AND PATIENCE, AND TO THE PARENTS FOR ALL THEIR LOVE, SUPPORT, AND MONEY!