Mercy cheer squad preps for nationals

It’s all about being loud, and the cheer squad needs to get louder by the end of the month when the Mercy High School cheer squad heads to Southern California to compete in nationals. Students from the Burlingame school will join Notre Dame and South San Francisco high schools for the United Spirit Association nationals competition held in Anaheim, across the street from Disneyland.

Until then, the practices twice a week are all about mastering the details of the routine, a mix of cheer and dance. From getting loud to sharp movements, repetition is necessary for success.

This year, the squad is moving up to the intermediate competition level, a new challenge for the girls, said cheer coach Rebecca Hazen. The squad practices in her South San Francisco gym.

Moving up has meant meeting a higher challenge, but will also prove a beneficial experience to the younger girls. This year’s squad has seven seniors, which means it also has a lot of freshman to build a strong squad in the years ahead. To place well, the squad is focusing on mastering a clean routine. And, as is true with any sport, there’s always room for improvement.

Seventeen-year-old senior Gina Garcia, one of three co-captains, explained it’s about building strength and confidence.

Mercy, being an all-girl school, does not have a football team and therefore has fewer opportunities to perform in front of a crowd. Working to get that experience is important, she said.

Fellow co-captain Jennifer Malatesta, who lives in South San Francisco, said despite the challenges, it’s all about having fun and enjoying a great experience.

Eighteen-year-old Whitney Welch, the final co-captain from Millbrae, added getting to the fun took time. Having a number of new girls, many who had not cheered previously, meant the squad focused on training early on and has built on that skill set.

Mercy earned a bid to nationals at an October regional competition in Fremont. The squad has taken opportunities to perform before a crowd when given, cheering at volleyball and basketball games and occasionally for Serra High School. Through their work, the girls have gotten to know many other squads.

Mercy’s co-captains agreed, their squad cheers with other local schools in competition and plans to do so later this month at nationals. But the friendly rivalry is still that, a rivalry. And the girls are ready to bring it.

The squads competition cheer said it best: "We’re the best, you can’t deny.”

Heather Murtagh can be reached by e-mail: heather@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 105.