Columbian cheer team soars high

Columbian High School Cheer came home last weekend with a state championship win. The team, made up of 18 students, earned first place in the 2022 OASSA Stat Cheer & Dance Championships on Feb. 26-27. The team earned its championship in the Division II Game-Day Non-Building competition. The team had not won a championship since 2006. Coach Jami Hepp, said on the team's win, "This showed the team's commitment and dedication to compete. Tiffin is unique. What you see on the sidelines of our games is what you will see at the competition." On the team's accomplishment, Columbian Principal Forrest Trisler said, "It doesn't surprise me one bit. That group of girls is a really special group. They're some of our hardest working and best people in the building. They're great in the classroom and represent TC so well. Two things really stand out to me with them. They really want to achieve as a team like they do in the classroom, and they really care about each other and others. I'm so proud of them and Coach Hepp." Hepp said it is a challenge at times when other schools' teams have separate tryouts — having one team to serve as a competition team. Other schools also have their own practice space. Hepp said the team depends on the generosity of the community to use facilities to practice. Hepp said the team is always practicing — during its two practices a week, at every game and as soon as they get off the bus. "It is about effort and efficiency," she said. Faith Egbert, junior, has been on the varsity cheer team for the last three years. She said this win shows dedication. "There was a lot we sacrificed to achieve our goal," Egbert said. "It shows that cheer is a big deal and not something you just see on the sidelines." Junior Audrey Hepp said she is very proud. "This puts a stamp on our program," she said. Audrey is the daughter of Coach Hepp. Cheer has been a part of their lives for a long time. Jami's mother was also her seventh-grade cheer coach. Senior Bella Blust said she, too, is proud of the achievement. "This team stepped up together," Blust said. "It took time and effort and it shows." Blust has been part of the varsity cheer team for the last four years. Egbert said this title is huge, and she cherishes the opportunity to be a part of it and to have the ability to compete. The team, like many others, had to suspend practices and tryouts due to the COVID-19 pandemic. State championships were virtual last year and Hepp said she decided to not compete. The team would have had to submit a video of its routine and Hepp said she wanted the team to have the whole experience. "It felt so good to be back together," she said, when the team was able to return to practices in July 2020. The team qualified for the state championship during the February regionals. Hepp said the team decided to compete during the Game-Day category in January. The team also placed third in the Division II Non-Building - A category. Egbert said the team wants to express a "huge" thank you to the coaches and cheer volunteers. "Jami worked hard in growing us up," Egbert said. Not only does being part of a cheer team create a family, but Audrey Hepp, Blust and Egbert said they learned many life lessons. Blust said when she enters practice, she can just forget about the rest of the world. "Cheer taught me that I am part of something bigger than ourselves," Egbert said. "This is a stress-free zone where these athletes can just be a kid," Hepp said. The team is going to take a short break after its win, and tryouts are to start in April, Hepp said. From there, choreography is to get finalized in June and competitions start once again in July.