With a trimmed-down squad, Wetumpka looks to bring the cheer to Auburn and take home another UCA trophy.
“We go, first, to show off what we’ve been working on over the past month and secondly to get better as a squad,” said Meredith Ingram, who is entering her third season as leader of the Wetumpka Indians cheerleading program.
The 11-person varsity cheer squad will compete in the small-squad division for the first time in several years.
The 2013 Wetumpka Indians varsity squad includes seniors Allison Eaves, Paige Knight and Lindsey Mullino; juniors Madison Easterling, Ashton Hughes, Kayla Hull, Taylor Kent, Kiara McCluskey, Madison Roberts and Madison Ruud; and sophomore Jayona Jones.
“This is a great squad, all of them can drive but one,” joked Ingram.
“Last year, we had 20 and we graduated six,” said Ingram.
“Talent-wise, this squad has stronger stunting and tumbling.”
All that will be displayed on the first night of the camp, when the Indians reveal their home pom routine that’s been under construction for the past month.
“Last year, they really liked us and we got first place,” said Ingram. “So ideally, we’ll bring back another.”
Ingram added that after the first night, the group will spend the rest of the time learning new dances and new cheers, culminating with a final competition Saturday.
“They teach us a dance and then we have to add to it,” said Ingram. “They’ll tell us how many eight-counts we need to prepare. We’ll add them to what they teach us.”
The weeklong camp at Auburn is the only competition Ingram’s cheerleaders will attend during the 2013-2014 school year.
“Our girls have been working really hard because of that,” said Ingram.
A competition win in Auburn brings with it the opportunity to cheer during the Capital One Bowl.
“The girls wanted to focus more on getting involved in the community and in the school,” said Ingram. “So this is our competition this year.”
But, the varsity won’t be the only Tribe in amongst the more than 500 pepsters. Wetumpka’s junior vars
ity (eight-member team) and the Wetumpka Middle School team will also step onto the competition floor.
