The Daviess County Lady Panthers gave it all they had Thursday at George Rogers Clark for the KHSAA State Competitive Cheer Championships as they took home second in the Game Day division with 95.60 total points.
Somerset won the division with 96.60 points while Owensboro took 16th with 62.90 points.
DC coach Kitty Jones said they had some nerves but also some newfound confidence going into Thursday as the Panthers went into the day as a contender for the title.
“They did fantastic,” Jones said. “(They) left it all on the mat – all of them.”
Jones and her squad agree that second is a solid finish but it’s not the ultimate goal as they have their sites set again on a championship next season.
“Our energy was electric, motions tight, and our execution of skill on point,” she said of their performance. “I am very pleased with second place in the State, but much like the the girls, not satisfied, with plans to fuel it into next season. At first, losing by exactly one point was a little disheartening, but it settled well for us all knowing we are starting back with what we walked off the mat with.”
Jones said they have a couple of weeks off before they start preparing for next season.
“Next year we plan to bring back our 2.5-minute routine along with Game Day, go back to Nationals now as a contender in the Super Large Game Day division and make a return visit to State,” she said were the goals. “The team on the mat today consisted of freshmen, sophomores, and a great group of junior leaders. As coaches of this group, next season seems bright.”
