On November 1st, the region’s best teams came together for the annual cheer regional championship. It filled the atmosphere with energy and anticipation as teams waited anxiously to learn whether or not they would advance to states.
Following the recent dismissal of their former head coach, Coach Miller volunteered to step in for the remainder of the season. In just a short time before districts, the entire routine changed dramatically.
“Coach Miller came in about a week, maybe less, before Districts… We were definitely at a low point,” senior Elena Merrills said. “Stunts weren’t hitting, the team chemistry was off, and Coach Miller coming in really saved us and lifted us back up.”
Having previously coached the team for several seasons, Coach Miller knew the athletes well and quickly restored a sense of stability and confidence. In just a matter of days, she reworked the routine, rebuilt the team’s chemistry and reignited their passion for performing.
“Coach Miller really reminded us why we’re Langley cheerleaders and who we’re competing for. She reignited our spark and pushed us to work hard in the days leading up to our big competitions” junior Saylor Landen said.
Just a year ago, the Langley Cheer team faced one of the most devastating losses imaginable, the passing of senior Mary Shell. Shell was more than just a teammate, but a constant source of laughter, encouragement, and love. Her unexpected passing, just days before Districts, left the team heartbroken and in shock. In the midst of their grief, the team made the difficult decision to step back from the competition.
“Not getting to perform last year really pushed us, because a lot of us who didn’t compete really wanted to and we wanted to do this for Mary,” Landen said. “This year, we finally have the chance to do that[…] This season is for Mary, and this competition and all our competitions have been for Mary.”
At Districts this year, the Langley cheer team put everything they had out on the mat,taking the teams by surprise and showing just how far they’d come this season. Langley ended up winning second place, right behind Marshall, their biggest competitor and a team they’ve been neck and neck with all year. Finishing just a few points shy of first only fueled the team’s motivation heading into regionals, where they were ready to push even harder.
“I think our team is living by the mindset of love yourself, love your team, love your routine and just go out and give it your all. To the judges, it’s like everyone’s here fighting, and even if somebody falls, that team is still really good” Landen said.
Before every competition, the Langley Cheer team gathers in a tight circle, phone flashlight glowing, to sing “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus. It’s a longstanding tradition that brings the team together and reminds them why they do what they do. The song’s message about perseverance and believing in yourself resonates deeply with the athletes, especially after the challenges they’ve faced this season.
“[The tradition is] a way of coming together and sharing a special moment to remember how far we’ve come and to prepare for the performance ahead. This special moment reminds us we are one team and encourages us to push through no matter what,” junior Iris Lin said.
Through all the ups and downs the Langley High School Cheer team has faced over the past year, their journey stands as an emotional and inspiring comeback story that will be remembered for years to come. Even though the team fell just short of qualifying for states, finishing third at regionals, they’ve made a lasting impact, showing what perseverance and teamwork can accomplish. Their resilience has inspired many to stay motivated and keep pushing forward, no matter the setbacks.
“I think [our performance] will just inspire a lot of people in no matter what happens, no matter how many bad things go wrong in your routine, you can still come up, you can still win, and you can still prove to other people that you can overcome things and you can make things good even when it doesn’t seem like it,” Landen said.