CHAMPIONS AGAIN

When Kayla Vicknair became the Vandebiit Catholic cheerleading coach four years ago, she didn’t necessarily expect immediate success.

But she was wrong.

Under the coach’s tenure, the Terriers have risen up to become one of the top cheer squads in both Louisiana and even the country.

The Vandebiit cheerleading team won the LHSAA Small Varsity State Championship on Nov. 21 – the fourth crown the Terriers earned under the coach’s watch.

Vicknair said the immediate success is a welcome surprise. She added that it’s all a testament to the hard work and dedication of the team members, who worked hard throughout the season to make it happen.

“I never would have thought the program would be this successful this early on,” Vicknair said. “Each year has been exciting and rewarding, but this year’s state title is extra special because my seniors on the team this year were freshmen when we begun this journey four years ago…. They were my first group of younger girls that I decided to bring up and join my varsity, and this is their fourth state title.”

Vandebilt’s path to another state title was paved with hard work and diligence, especially in mastering the team’s tough competition routine.

Vicknair said the Terriers title-winning routine was a two-minute and 30-second grind that includes one minute of cheer with 90 seconds of music.

In the music portion, the team is scored on partner stunting, tumbling, jumps and dance – advanced cheerleading competition techniques.

“This is the toughest routine that we perform,” Vicknair said.

At the state competition, Vicknair said the Terriers weren’t perfect, having a few falls and drops – especially in partner stunting. But the team did the other phases of the competition well enough to earn the state title, which gives the team an automatic bid at nationals in two months.

“It’s comforting to know that even with the mistakes we made, we still came out on top,” Vicknair said.

One reason why the Terriers were likely able to hold it together is because of a talented, experienced senior group – a core bunch of athletes who have been with Vicknair since her first days as coach.

Leading the group is captain Taylor Danos, who missed the State Meet with an injury. The team’s other seniors are Julia Daigle, Alii Collins, Victoria Palmisano and Kali Wicklund – all of whom have been invaluable to the program, according to Vicknair.

The coach said her team’s ability to rise up and win a major title without Danos on the floor showed great poise and moxie. It was a feat that not many other teams in the state of Louisiana could have likely pulled off, according to Vicknair.

“My seniors are my leaders,”

Vicknair said. “Without them, we wouldn’t be state champs. They know what it takes to succeed, and they’ve been around long enough to know what’s expected of them. They make sure our younger girls are prepared and ready to compete…. Our younger girls respect our seniors and look up to them.”

So with another trophy in the trophy case, the Terriers now want more.

Vicknair said Vandebilt is hard at work in the practice gym in an effort to polish its routine before Nationals. Two years ago, the Terriers finished No. 13 in the country in its competition routine. Last year, Vandebilt placed No. 10.

This year, the coach wants to do even better.

“My girls are reaching for Top 5 this year,” Vicknair said. “We will be working hard for the next two months to make sure the routine hits solid at Nationals.”

And as far as the future is concerned – it appears bright.

Vicknair said Vandebilt has an advantage some schools don’t have in that they accept eighth grade enrollment, which allowed student-athletes to receive an extra year of coaching and training in the cheer-leading program.

Through combining the talent and leadership of this year’s senior group with the ability of younger competitors on the squad, Vicknair said she believes the future is as bright as ever.

That says a lot coming from a coach who has just won her fourth state title in four years.

“I think each year continues to look brighter and brighter,” Vicknair said. “Our younger kids know how much hard work and commitment goes into each year to be successful. I just hope it continues in the direction it’s going and continues to be fun for the girls.”

“It’s amazing. When we started this four years ago, I never would have thought that we would have four state titles under our belts. Vandebilt cheer definitely has made a name for itself-not only on a state level, but also a national level. We’re trying to uphold that reputation.”

‘Each year has been exciting and rewarding, but this year’s state title is extra special because my seniors on the team this year were freshmen when we begun this journey 4 years ago.’

Kayla Vicknair

Vandebiit cheerleading coach

The Vandebiit Catholic High School cheerleading squad poses for a photo just moments after winning the State Championship. The Terriers took home Louisiana’s title for Small Varsity Cheering on Nov. 21 at the LHSAA State Championships. It’s the fourth-straight season that Vandebiit wins a state title at the meet. Vandebiit is now polishing its routines so it can make a run at a National Championship later in the winter.

COURTESY

Vandebilt Catholic coach Kayla Vicknair poses with her five senior cheerleaders – young ladies she said are the backbones and cornerstones to the team’s program. The Terriers won the State Title this season.

COURTESY