The EHS cheer team moves onto the state competition after performing a first-place skills routine in front of a cheering crowd and difficult judges.

They traveled hours and still came prepared to slay the competition, according to viewer and senior Tiara Arzola.

After watching many other teams perform, the cheer squad reported to warmups and got ready to hit the floor.

Senior Mackenzie Petry led her team out for a three-minute routine that would impress the judges enough to place top.

With a perfect score, they move onto sectionals and then finals this upcoming weekend. With Petry being a senior, she described walking off the mat for the last time as bittersweet.

“It’s the end of an era,” Petry said. “It’s been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I feel happy to see what the world has to offer outside of cheerleading, but also very sad to see my favorite chapter come to a close.”

Petry’s not the only senior feeling this hurt. Senior Maddi Ostrowski speaks of a similar experience with her last performance.

“I’m sad to let the sport and friendships that I have made go,” Ostrowski said, “but I’m excited to have free time to enjoy other things.”

While many are experiencing their last time to cheer and friendships staying as strong as ever, the girls plan to kill it at state and can’t wait to bring home yet another trophy for the display.

Winning is the goal, but the most important part, according to Petry, is to have fun and that’s what the team plans to do.

“From going in the past, it is such an exhilarating feeling,” Petry said. “It’s absolutely incredible and there is nothing else like it. Going to state as a team is so fun, and we all get one last hoorah together.”