Bingham cheer having a great season, looking forward to Nationals
Feb 14, 2017 01:11PM ● By Billy Swartzfager
Bingham High School cheerleading squad poses for a picture this year. (Amber Thomas/Bingham Cheer)
By Billy Swartzfager | [email protected]
Cheerleading competition season kicked off on Dec. 3 for the Bingham Miners. The squad has performed well for many years, and the 2016–17 season has been no exception.
Bingham started the year at an event at Cottonwood High School and took first place in its division, which is called Super Large Varsity Advanced. The following week, Dec. 10, the team took second place at a competition at the South Towne Expo Center.
The competitions are judged on several components. The routines are scrutinized and scored based on the difficulty of the skills performed, which includes choreography, execution, jumps, tumbling, stunts, baskets and pyramids.
Judges deduct points from the team’s score for mistakes. There is a total of 100 possible points. As the season progresses, Bingham has usually procured their position at Nationals, which will be held in Anaheim, California, Mar 24–27. In order to be eligible for Nationals, a team has to receive a score of 75 in a National qualifying event, which Bingham accomplished early in the season.
Bingham began 2017 with a first-place finish at an event at Roy High School on Jan. 7. The team followed that strong performance with another at Murray High School on Jan. 21. The Miners took second place in the 5A all-girl division and also picked up the Spirit Award for having the most fans supporting them.
Bingham is led by the current 5A Coach of the Year, Amber Thomas, who has been at the helm since 2008. During her tenure, the team has won a National Title four times, the most recent being in 2015. The Miners took third last season. This year’s goals fall in line with the recent successes the group has experienced.
“We want to place as high as possible at Nationals,” Thomas said. “But, we want to make sure the experience as a team is as positive, memorable and rewarding as possible.”
The squad’s captains are Savi Ward, Bella Archuleta and Estee Mason, all of whom are seniors. According to Thomas, the captains are extremely motivating, competitive and very loving of their teammates.
“They lead by example,” Thomas said. “They are on the floor when the coaches are not, and their presence keeps the team cohesive.”
The most recent event for Bingham, considered to be the equivalent of a state tournament, was held on Jan. 28 at Salt Lake Community College. Again, the Miners went out and competed well, winning first place. According to Thomas, the team didn’t perform as well as it usually does, but its routine was more difficult than other teams competing. Mason was also recognized at the competition for her academic excellence.
The team has had an eventful year. On top of the competition season, the girls cheer at all of the various games and events throughout the school year. The team practices every day and spends a lot of time preparing for the games to which it travels. The team even accompanied the football team to an exhibition game in Texas. The 23 young ladies had the opportunity to tour the Dallas Cowboy’s stadium and were also on ESPN.
“It was great for them to be able to go out and represent Bingham High School and Jordan School District,” Thomas said.
Thomas said this team is prepared to take all of its best out on the floor with them when its gets to Nationals.
“This year’s team is very, very talented.” she said, “They work together and have a lot of fun and passion for what they do. They love each other really.”
Cheerleading competition season kicked off on Dec. 3 for the Bingham Miners. The squad has performed well for many years, and the 2016–17 season has been no exception.
Bingham started the year at an event at Cottonwood High School and took first place in its division, which is called Super Large Varsity Advanced. The following week, Dec. 10, the team took second place at a competition at the South Towne Expo Center.
The competitions are judged on several components. The routines are scrutinized and scored based on the difficulty of the skills performed, which includes choreography, execution, jumps, tumbling, stunts, baskets and pyramids.
Judges deduct points from the team’s score for mistakes. There is a total of 100 possible points. As the season progresses, Bingham has usually procured their position at Nationals, which will be held in Anaheim, California, Mar 24–27. In order to be eligible for Nationals, a team has to receive a score of 75 in a National qualifying event, which Bingham accomplished early in the season.
Bingham began 2017 with a first-place finish at an event at Roy High School on Jan. 7. The team followed that strong performance with another at Murray High School on Jan. 21. The Miners took second place in the 5A all-girl division and also picked up the Spirit Award for having the most fans supporting them.
Bingham is led by the current 5A Coach of the Year, Amber Thomas, who has been at the helm since 2008. During her tenure, the team has won a National Title four times, the most recent being in 2015. The Miners took third last season. This year’s goals fall in line with the recent successes the group has experienced.
“We want to place as high as possible at Nationals,” Thomas said. “But, we want to make sure the experience as a team is as positive, memorable and rewarding as possible.”
The squad’s captains are Savi Ward, Bella Archuleta and Estee Mason, all of whom are seniors. According to Thomas, the captains are extremely motivating, competitive and very loving of their teammates.
“They lead by example,” Thomas said. “They are on the floor when the coaches are not, and their presence keeps the team cohesive.”
The most recent event for Bingham, considered to be the equivalent of a state tournament, was held on Jan. 28 at Salt Lake Community College. Again, the Miners went out and competed well, winning first place. According to Thomas, the team didn’t perform as well as it usually does, but its routine was more difficult than other teams competing. Mason was also recognized at the competition for her academic excellence.
The team has had an eventful year. On top of the competition season, the girls cheer at all of the various games and events throughout the school year. The team practices every day and spends a lot of time preparing for the games to which it travels. The team even accompanied the football team to an exhibition game in Texas. The 23 young ladies had the opportunity to tour the Dallas Cowboy’s stadium and were also on ESPN.
“It was great for them to be able to go out and represent Bingham High School and Jordan School District,” Thomas said.
Thomas said this team is prepared to take all of its best out on the floor with them when its gets to Nationals.
“This year’s team is very, very talented.” she said, “They work together and have a lot of fun and passion for what they do. They love each other really.”
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