Oil City High School seniors Gracie Singleton, Emma Womer, and Nyssa Hanlon hold the first place trophy. (Contributed photo)
Jacob Wenner and Conner Snyder, seniors at Oil City High School, hold the first place trophy. (Contributed photo)
By ISABELLA WHITLING
Student contributor
Three of Oil City High School’s competitive cheerleading teams that co-op with Cranberry High School took home gold medals Saturday, Dec. 2, “sweeping” the competition.
The 2023 “Hound Pound Showdown” was Oil City’s first competition of the 2023-24 season. The competition took place at the Wilmington Area School District.
Oil City had three teams competing: Junior high, Gameday, and traditional co-ed competition cheer.
This year was the first year Oil City has competed in the Gameday division. Taking home first place was an “honor” said Coach Maddy Neely, a former assistant coach of the 2022 National Champion Cheerleading team at Thiel College and alumni of Oil City cheerleading.
“There are so many girls and boys that are so talented. Oil City had no option but to have 2 competing teams,” said Neely.
Oil City senior Emma Womer added, “I see lots of growth in the future of our team, and hopefully some more first place trophies.”
“It’s exciting to be expanding the program and showing both school and the communities what we can accomplish and will accomplish this season,” stated Cranberry junior Olivia Rossman.
The Traditional competition team was “very happy with the results of the competition as well. With the majority of the team being seniors, it’s important with every routine they can make each other proud knowing that soon cheerleading will come to an end for some of the girls and boys on the team,” remarked Katie McCoy, the coach of the Traditional squad and former alumni of Oil City cheerleading.
This is Oil City’s second year of being co-ed with having three boys on the team. Jordan Gotses and Conner Snyder have been members of this competition team for two years. This year is Jacob Wenner’s first.
Freshman Daphnie Shawley said, “I think that our comp went really well especially that it was the first one this season.”
Oil City’s Junior High team was excited to take first place in the Large Junior High Division. They popped off with a phenomenal routine with great tumble passes and stunt sequences. This team is coached by Kristen Beers, who also coaches Oil City’s junior high sideline cheer.
Isabella Whitling is a student at Cranberry High School and a member of Cranberry Chronicles, the school’s journalism/publications class.
