Baldwin’s competition cheer team earned a bid to nationals at Disney by placing first in their gameday and mat routines at a competition in Dayton, Ohio, on Sunday. 

Senior Elianna Sinkule said the victories were a complete team effort. 

“In just two months we had to learn a perfect routine while we were learning how to become a team. We struggled for a while, but in the last two weeks we have shown massive improvement,” she said. 

Then, a week before this competition, flyer Ava Wodarek was injured.

“We had to pivot and rework both routines to be able to meet competition standards,” Sinkule said. “We owe everything to our coaches Dena (Mihalsky) and Taryn (Madden). Every day they spend their free time making sure our team is ready for everything. With all the obstacles we have come across in the last four months, they have taken so much stress off.” 

The team has gone to nationals at Disney six of the last seven years. Last year the team did qualify, but did not go due to COVID restrictions.

“Last year was difficult for us,” sophomore Brookyln Lucas said. “With COVID and everything we had to overcome, it is nice to have a normal, fun, hard working season (this year).” 

A year ago, the team did not know how they would handle this upcoming season, Lucas said.

“We have come so far as a team and family. Our goal was to get the bid to nationals and go to Disney, and we did just that,” she said. 

The girls’ next competition is next Sunday at Bethel Park.