The bus departed Wilsonville High School just after noon, music reverberating through a speaker as athletes prepared for the day ahead. By the time the team arrived at the 2026 OSAA State Cheerleading Championships at Oregon City High School, the atmosphere had shifted from routine Saturday travel to the heightened anticipation of competition.
Wilsonville competed in the 5A Traditional category, carrying into state a season defined by growth, resilience, and a renewed sense of identity within the program.
State competition demands endurance as much as execution. After boarding the bus performance-ready, the Wildcats stopped for lunch at De Fuego, where they encountered another team that had traveled hours for the same two-minute opportunity.
The moment underscored the scale of the event—less a single contest than a convergence of preparation, sacrifice, and ambition. Upon arrival at their assigned seating area among dozens of teams, the clock showed hours remaining before their 7 p.m. performance. Four hours to wait. Four hours to observe competitors. Four hours to manage the mental weight of anticipation.
For Jennifer Cazares-Tellez, the championship marked her first state appearance. “I’m feeling nervous,” she said. “This is my first time. Looking at other people’s routines can be intimidating, but I have my hopes up. We’ve been practicing for many months. If anything ‘off’ happens, it’s just nervous mistakes.”
Like many performers, she relies on ritual to steady herself—carefully applied concealer, lashes, glitter, and bright red lipstick. “It’s kind of a signature,” she noted. In a sport that requires unwavering composure, presentation is part of preparation.
Freshman Lily Friend, also competing at state for the first time at the high school level, expressed confidence in the team’s cohesion. “I feel like we’ll perform strongly and well,” she said.
“This team is built of truly wonderful girls, and it’s such a joyful environment.” Friend emphasized the importance of mental preparation, leaning on positive self-talk and repetition until muscle memory overrides doubt. “Positive attitudes from our coaches and teammates brighten moments and decrease nerves. We’re proud to be out there.”
Before the competition, every athlete received a bundle of handwritten notes of encouragement from their teammates. Additionally, the team gathered in a circle to read positive messages aloud, reinforcing a culture built on affirmation and accountability.
For Friend, the highlight of the routine—the situational section featuring a shoulder lift and second ripple—passes quickly on the mat, a reminder of how swiftly preparation transitions into performance.
Cheerleading requires a distinct blend of athleticism and presentation. Strength and precision operate beneath constant expression, even when fatigue sets in. This year’s squad, led by senior captains Kaely Latt, Raina Simonton, and Cleo Christy, has emphasized steady leadership over spectacle. Under Head Coach Sydney and assistant coach Sue Williams, the program has prioritized discipline and consistency, shaping a team that values execution as much as enthusiasm.
As the 7 p.m. performance time approached, anticipation gave way to motion—final adjustments, quiet walkthroughs, and a brief pep talk before the walk to the mat. The routine lasted two minutes, compressing months of preparation into a tightly choreographed sequence.
When awards were announced, Wilsonville earned a fifth-place finish in the 5A division. Churchill High School claimed first place, followed by Thurston High School and Central High School in second and third, respectively.
While final standings provide a measurable outcome, they do not fully capture the scope of the season. The story extends beyond rankings—to early practices, shared setbacks, incremental improvements, and the trust built among teammates. Wilsonville’s 2026 state appearance ultimately reflected more than placement; it demonstrated a program reestablishing its foundation and reaffirming its commitment to growth.
For the Wildcats, the season’s message was clear: progress is earned in the unseen hours long before the music begins.