West Linn Cheer finishes 6th in State Cheer Championship

Christian Marvin
February 14, 2013

The West Linn Cheer team competed in only its second year participating in the Oregon School Activities Administration (OSAA) State Cheer Championship, finishing sixth in the 6A/5A large division.

“Initially [our goal] was to trophy,” Nikki Stroup, Cheer coach, said. West Linn placed sixth, one spot short of a trophy, in its division at the state cheer Championship Saturday, Feb. 9. The Cheer team finished with a total score of 61.13. West Linn was only .72 points behind David Douglas and a fifth place trophy.

West Linn finished sixth in the 6A small division in 2012 with a total score of 55.30.

Stroup was impressed with the way the team adjusted very quick before state due to an injury that left the team short one member.

“Courteney Fisher got a concussion the last ten minutes of the last practice before state, and nobody ever performs at State without someone, and we still finished sixth,” Stroup said.

Fisher, senior, along with Madison Baldwin and Megan McMurtrie, seniors, is a captain on the team. The team is not too upset about leaving without a trophy knowing that they did so well without a key member of their team.

The team has been working on its routine since September of 2012. Their routine was choreographed by Brian Cao, Director of Cheer Programs. Cao is one of the three main choreographers for all high school cheer in Oregon.

The Cheer team also performed the State routine at the Survivor assembly on Friday, Feb. 8 for the school.

Stroup also foresees possible advancements to the cheer program at West Linn. “There are two freshmen on the team, but next year we are trying to have a [Junior Varsity] team, so the younger girls that try out that don’t make it would have a way to get better and set up the team for the next year,” Stroup said.

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About the Contributor

Christian Marvin, Athletics Co-Editor

He aims, he shoots, he scores - basketball is one of many activities that Christian Marvin, junior and Athletics Editor, has an affinity for. In fact, a life full of friends, church and sports is one that he leads daily. With his hands full of engaging activities, in and out of school, Marvin looks forward to an exciting year.

This school year, Marvin has a full schedule on his hands. Physics is his favorite class because it is less rigorous than a handful of his other AP and Honors classes. He enjoys being on Amplifier because he “likes to write and there’s always something to do”.

Though he does not know exactly what path to take in the future, he does know that he wants to try his best in high school and start from there.

“I’m really want to get good grades this year, especially because I’m taking some hard classes,” Marvin said. “I also want to be more involved in service projects too.” At home, Marvin prefers to eat, relax and then do homework. He and his sister have two fish: Marvin’s is Flo, and his sister’s is King Triton. Despite his busy schedule, Marvin always finds time to spend for himself and with his family. Marvin enjoys eating chicken alfredo and drinking root beer and Dr. Pepper as well.

Out of school and home, Marvin is an avid participator in his church. Every Sunday, he teaches kindergarten at church, and attends youth group every Wednesday. In addition, Marvin also goes to Night Strike, a program in which he feeds homeless in downtown Portland.

“I like getting to play with the kids and teaching them,” Marvin said. “The kids are really fun and I like getting to know them.”

As for the sports aspect of his life, Marvin plays basketball. He prefers not to play on a school basketball team, but rather plays for enjoyment. Marvin’s specialty is shooting half-court shots and dunking on a ten foot net. He enjoys playing with friends because it is more fun, and there is a friendly competition.

Marvin hopes to complete his junior year and enjoy his last year in high school. He believes that can get through his high school life with the help of his family and friends. In all aspects of his life, he hopes to be successful and take the next step of his life.