Doniphan cheerleading state bound in first year of competition

The Doniphan Donettes cheerleading team competed in the Missouri Cheerleading Coaches Association St. Louis Regional for the first time recently and came away with a bid to the state competition in December at Southeast Missouri State in Cape Girardeau.

Doniphan cheerleading coach Zachary Taylor said they were in shock when they received an at-large bid by finished eighth in their division. 

“This was our first year competing,” he said. “We had some stressful practices and the anxiety was high on competition day. But these girls went in there and pulled off a great routine. We had a tough competition and with it being our first time, we went in with one goal. 

“Get to State. We did just that.”

Not only are they headed to state, they are doing so in their first year of competition cheer.

“Being my second year coaching and me coaching at the same school I once cheered for,

I think me and my girls shared one dream and that was for our program to grow,” he said. “We decided to compete in hopes that our program would start getting the recognition it deserves. These girls work extremely hard and spend hours cheering on all the sports teams and it was time for them to look forward to something that was centered around them.”

The Donettes weren’t then only team from Southeast Missouri to place in their 2A Small Division as the Kelly Lady Hawks finished third overall. John Burroughs was the division champion. 

With the state competition now in their sights, Taylor said it’s about honing in on what they do well. 

“We will be working on strengthening our skill level these next few weeks,” he said. “Now that the girls have competed, their confidence and hunger for more is strong and I believe they can do anything.”

The Donettes will compete Dec. 8-9 at the MCCA State Championship at SEMO.