Wakefield High School cheerleaders took home the top prize for medium division on Saturday, January 24, in the Wake County Public School System Cheerleading Competition. Coach, Teresa Skokauckas, was extremely proud to announce her team’s success.

“It was so awesome to win,” said Skokauckas. “This team hasn’t competed in over five years so not only was this the beginning of a new era, but it was just really exciting to place first, especially for my two seniors [Haley Cissel and Ariel Woody] who haven’t competed at all.”

Wakefield won among the teams within their division including: Heritage, Sanderson, and Wake Forest.

Cissel explains what it was like competing at a high school cheer competition.

“With this being the first time I’ve competed here at Wakefield,” said Cissel, “I was really excited that we won. We spent so much time on our routine and it paid off.”

For the past four years, there has been a different coach, but this is Skokauckas’ first year coaching high school cheer. The cheerleaders are excited to have Skocauckas as their coach.

“I love our coach,” said junior Alayna Karagiannis. “She’s really dedicated to our team and she loves us. She’s like a mom to us.”

Karagiannis went on to explain the time spent practicing.

“We practiced for hours each week,” said Karagiannis. “Even before games we would come in and run the routine over and over again.”

Not only is the cheerleading team dedicated to their team on weekdays, but practice can carry into weekends.

“We practiced our choreography on Saturdays,” said junior Brooke Andrews. “All of the time we spent was worth it in the end.”

Because cheerleading is a two season sport, dedication is essential for success.

“Since it’s a two season sport, it’s demanding,” said Cissel. “We have practice every week and at least two games a week so you have to be dedicated. You have to attend practice in order to get better because we have to compete.”

Needless to say, the hard work and time spent practicing was with it for the team.

“When we won it was awesome,” said Karagiannis. “Most of us were crying, even Terry [Coach] cried.”

Skokauckas was pleased to recognize the senior’s impact on the team and their parent’s assistance.

“They’ve been amazing,” said Skocauckas. “They are wonderful leaders.”

Skocauckas shared her goal for the team.

“My goal for the them is to be proud of their accomplishments,” said Skokauckas. “I want them to grow as a cheerleader and a student. My intentions are for them to strive to be a good student first, and then a good cheerleader. I have seen that in my girls this year, and I am pleased with their talents.”