The Tahoma Bears cheer team won state titles in the Coed Game Day and 3A/4A Super Large categories during last week’s Washington Interscholastic Activities Association State Championships. This week, the team is in California for the national contest, where they will compete in six categories.
“Winning back-to-back state championships in the Game Day division was such a thrill and exciting to watch,” coach Chuck Chartray said. “We had a deduction that we thought might affect our placing, but the hard work and performance by the athletes gave them enough of a lead that the deduction didn’t matter on their final placing. In the traditional division, we again had some deductions that we thought would affect us, but they put on an amazing performance and again snuck in the win.”
It has been a long season for the cheer team, starting in july with summer camps, proceeding through choreography and football, basketball and competitions, Chartray said, noting that the team added boys this fall, which was a great change that they hope to continue.
“We had a tough week of practices before state, trying to clean up our routines and earn every possible point,” he said. “These athletes only get three weeks off a year. They are getting tired and looking forward to their competition and having some rest and relaxation. They have been working out in the weight room three days a week and practicing 3 days a week with one or two games a week as well as competitions on Saturdays. They are truly giving everything their bodies can give to represent Tahoma.”
The Tahoma High School boys basketball team finished its season with seven wins and 13 losses, missing the playoffs by one game, coach Rick Tripp said. They were a young team playing in a competitive league.
One highlight of the season was senior night, Tripp said. “We played Kentlake, and the crowd was electric,” he added. “We won the game and capped a great night.”The Bears also had a great season-ending game, he added. That night, the Bears beat Hazen High School 54-45.
In North Puget Sound League all-league selections, JC Humphrey was selected second team NPSL for the Cascade Division, and Quinn Faulk was selected third team NPSL.
