In The News: Newberg High cheer squad wins third straight USA Spirit Nationals crown

Written by: Seth Gordon, Newberg Graphic

The Tigers finish first in the small/medium varsity show cheer non-tumbling division over the weekend

ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Newberg cheerleading team added to its growing legacy of championships, winning the small/medium varsity show cheer non-tumbling division at the USA Spirit Nationals over the weekend at the Anaheim Convention Center.

It was the third consecutive title the Tigers have won at USA Spirit Nationals, which hosts several varsity show cheer competitions with divisions for team size and ability (novice, intermediate, non-tumbling and advanced), and comes on the back of four straight OSAA 6A small state championships as well.

“It’s been exciting,” senior captain Anni Gissel said. “It’s just been an honor to be on such amazing teams the last four years. To end my season so strong was just incredible. I couldn’t have asked for anything better.”

Newberg did have to remove tumbling and add some more stunting to its state championship-winning routine, but Gissel said there was enough time in between the two competitions to make the adjustment.

“I feel like we had a few bobbles, but we hit our stunts and saved everything,” Gissel said. “We put out everything that we could at the time and we gave it our all.”

Head coach Lisa Berg said she was proud of the team’s performance on the mat and praised her girls for being amazing competitors. She and assistant coach Chante Potter said they have continually been impressed with the team’s ability to perform at such a high level so consistently over the past several years.

“I keep going back to the amazing leadership, which goes back to the seniors,” Berg said. “They’ve done a great job.”

Gissel, in turn, credits Berg for helping keep the team grounded and focused competition after competition, year after year.

“Everything she does makes the team better and I’m sure they will continue to be very strong,” she said. “We have great seniors next year coming up and they’re going to do awesome.”