The Cross Schools cheer team bagged second place in the SCISA varsity cheer state competition on Nov 8, 2025, the first time competing in this division. The cheer team began as a small determined group of girls cheering on the sideline in 2021 for the Cross middle school football team. Over the years the team won first place in the SCISA JV division three years in a row, all the while cheering on the sidelines for the varsity football team, in anticipation of a full varsity squad developing for competition purposes.
Varsity co-captain Lucia Carbone talks about progress and memories of the team.
“As captain and team member for the past six years, we have come a long way. We didn’t just get here overnight, but we put forth effort with the biggest thanks to our coach, Mrs. Carolyn Marquez. As we have placed second before in our JV game day competition, placing first three years in a row in that division was a really big accomplishment for our team.”
“This year placing second (we missed the first spot by 1.5 points) was really a win in our eyes. We were the underdogs and proved our spot for years to come. As with any team, there have been some ups and downs along the way, with the team bickering, people moving spots, and having to learn new quick choreography. However, something our team does best is that we know how to be resilient. Our team values unity and the opportunity to become family. Having the ability to bond and create relationships really helps us win because it really deciphers the mood of the team. If one person is down, we all try to build each other back up. We work as if we were one unit,” explains Lucia.
Carbone goes on to explain that the team gets better every year and it shows. “As a team, not only do we have to work together, we have to be able to carry and maintain our own weight. And it doesn’t matter what everyone else has going on. Focus on the individual, the team, the sport and that is what helps us get stronger.”
She explains that as a cheerleader, but really as any athlete, it is quite hard to maintain the balance of school and sports. “Team members have to be agile and make time for both. Every Monday we have off to work on our school work and plan for our week. Sports are important but school work is the main matter in the end.”
The team functions using the captain system, with two head captains and two junior captains to ensure the legacy of the team. The two head captains this year are eleventh graders Gracie Shultzman and Lucia Carbone, with junior captains tenth graders, Monroe Porter and Reese Marquez.
“As captains our job is to lead by example and show what it means to be a leader. Our actions speak louder than words. We try to create strong relationships as well as show up for our team and be the people they can lean on for a helping hand.”
Carbone reflects that the cheer team has been a pretty special experience and “having the opportunity I have is one I am forever thankful for. My advice to the middle schoolers coming up to our team one day is to really have fun, create memories, respect your team and your coaches and don’t take anything for granted.”
