Years of close calls had left 11-year head coach Emily Baumgartner and her Panthers cheer squads waiting for the day when their showcase performance at the CHSAA State Spirit Championships would earn them an elusive finals opportunity.

So, when the Panthers heard their name as one of four finalists in the 3A All-Girl Cheer division – one word defined the moment.

“Surreal.”

For the Panthers, putting together a stellar performance under the bright lights required their squad of 17 student-athletes to come together for 2½ minutes of execution of the countless drills and routines that Baumgartner’s team had practiced.

A deduction-free performance of 75.2 edged the Panthers into the finals as the fourth squad through from the semifinals, narrowly beating out fifth-place University by three-tenths of a point.

With the announcement of the Panthers advancing to the finals, the nervous energy turned to jubilation.

“I think the girls were all in shock, just like myself and the coaching staff,” said Baumgartner. “We held onto each other and cried – it was an amazing moment for us all!”

Taking on a young squad this season, the Panthers had to make the adjustments of working together with different skill sets and personalities, which made the outcome that much sweeter for the head coach.

“This team has an abundance of raw talent,” said Baumgartner, “and they pushed to fine-tune that talent to grow as a team.”

To then put the performance together, however, is a different matter altogether.

“I don’t think many people realize how difficult it is – to dedicate three or four months learning a 150-second routine to perform it once in front of judges,” she added. “So we get one shot – there is no redemption.”

After suffering some injuries in the semifinals, the Panthers battled to put together their best encore in the finals, taking fourth behind Highland, Prospect Ridge and Woodland Park.

“I’ve never been prouder of my team,” said Baumgartner. “Our upperclassmen stepped up and worked as a leadership team to help the squad.”

At the championship’s conclusion, senior Chesnie Patrick earned recognition as a 3A first team all-state performer.

The collective support from assistants Amanda Gallegos, Ilaria Sanchez, and Hannah Fish, according to Baumgartner, proved to be instrumental in helping the Panthers to refine various elements of their routine.

CHSAA’s spirit championships are divided into six categories – Cheer (all-girls), Co-Ed, Pom, Game Day, Hip Hop, and Jazz, with classifications within those categories to delineate school size.

M-CHS wasn’t the only area school to send a squad to the championships – both Mancos and Dolores entered the field as well. Dolores competed in the 2A Cheer division, taking 10th in their competition’s semifinals.

Mancos, meanwhile, performed in the 3A/2A Co-Ed division, taking sixth overall as they narrowly missed the finals. Mancos sophomore Madison Daves earned a 2A honorable mention all-state recognition for the Jays.

“I have so much pride in our team,” said Baumgartner, “and this made all the sweat, blood, and tears worth it.”