MOOSE JAW — The Estevan Comprehensive School (ECS) Elecs cheerleading team took home first place in the scholastic intermediate division at the Best of the West cheerleading competition, held Feb. 7-8 in Moose Jaw.
The event, run by the Saskatchewan Cheerleading Association, is one of the largest and most competitive cheerleading battles in the province, featuring hundreds of teams.
Bonnie Chepil-Kvamme, who coaches the Elecs alongside McKenna Van De Woestyne, said this year's victory was especially meaningful, as the team is in a rebuilding phase with half of its members new to the sport.
"I've never had a team so new in a competition situation ever, except when I first started 33 years ago," she said.
Despite the team's inexperience and smaller size, with just 10 athletes in a division that allows for up to 32 members, they delivered an outstanding performance.
"It was the cleanest I have ever seen that routine ever. They rose to the occasion, and they were so happy with themselves. So pleased. And I was so proud of them," said Chepil-Kvamme.
The competition ran over two days, with teams performing in multiple sessions throughout the event. Chepil-Kvamme praised the competition's organization and the quality of the teams participating.
"We are firm supporters of Best of the West. It's one of my favourite competitions to go to. It runs so smoothly, so well," she said. "The Saskatchewan Cheerleading Association does an amazing job of this competition, so it's always a privilege to attend it."
The Elecs not only secured first place in their division but also achieved the highest scholastic score in the entire competition.
"Not only did we win our division, which is the scholastic intermediate, we got the highest scholastic mark in the competition," she said.
The scholastic intermediate division is based strictly on skill level and is open to high school teams consisting of Grade 9-12 students.
ECS earned a score of 75.2 before deductions, solidifying their spot at the top. They outperformed several larger Saskatchewan high school teams, including Thom Collegiate of Regina, Aden Bowman of Saskatoon, John Paul II of North Battleford, and Marion M. Graham of Saskatoon.
"Thom Collegiate was second place with a score of 71.2. Third place was Aden Bowman from Saskatoon with a mark of 68.2. Then was John Paul, and their score was 58.4. Marion Graham was 51.5," she said.
Chepil-Kvamme praised the team's stunt execution and noted they received a high score for that part. With their win at Best of the West, the team has now qualified for the provincial championships, which will take place on March 15 in Regina.
"Going into provincials, we're adding more of those skills in our stunts to hopefully improve our scores," said Chepil-Kvamme. "Every other school is going back into the gym to do the same thing after this competition. So we really have to up our game."
The team's success, she added, would not have been possible without the contributions of assistant coach Van De Woestyne, a former ECS cheerleader who has returned as a co-coach.
"She's instrumental, so instrumental. She's really good with the girls," said Chepil-Kvamme. "She puts just as much time and effort in as I do."
She also credited the dedication of the athletes and their families to make it all possible.
"Parents are so supportive. They are at the school in the morning at 6:45 a.m.," she said. "Without them, it wouldn't have happened. We just have a really good support system."
With momentum from their win, the team is now setting their sights on the upcoming provincial championships, where they hope to build on their strong performance and further refine their routine.
