Senecas win state championship

SUNBURY — The Calvert Senecas cheered their way to a state title Saturday.' The team competed in the OASSA state cheerleading competition at Big Walnut High School in Sunbury, facing five other teams in the division VI game day non-building division. It was Calvert's third trip to states in three years, and the second year competing in game day routine. The 2024-2025 Calvert competitive cheer squad comprises eleven athletes: two freshmen, three sophomores, four juniors and two seniors. Head coach Shannon Widman said six girls had never competed in cheer before this season, but "clearly they did an amazing job today." "I want to thank these amazing girls," she said. Jamie Marinis, assistant coach, said the eleven team members not only are great cheerleaders but "are wonderful people." The coaches expressed gratitude to the Calvert and Tiffin communities for their support throughout the season and also praised choreographer Cassie Bump for her vision and insight that helped shape the game day routine. She (Bump) suggested the "clap for Calvert" theme for the routine, Widman said, "and we grew with it." Senior Carlie Instone, who transferred to Calvert after St. Wendelin in Fostoria closed, said the journey to the state win shows God's providence. "I kept saying 'Jesus I trust in you' when we were waiting on results," she said. Emily Feasel, a freshman on the team, said she originally wasn't planning to join the competition team but changed her mind after support from the coaches. Winning state "makes me appreciate winning and all the effort that goes into it," she said. Feasel said she will "100%" continue with cheer next season. Senior Emma Kin, team captain, said, "It means everything to me to be able to make the Calvert community proud and bring home a state title my senior year." Kin included words of wisdom for Calvert's cheer team for next season. "I hope for continued success and that the athletes will continue to grow as a team and do everything with the power of God," she said. Other local results from the Saturday session of the OASSA state championship included: Tiffin Columbian High School, 2nd place in division III game day non-building and 5th place in traditional non-building; Norwalk High School, 1st place in division III game day non-building and 2nd place in traditional building; and Norwalk St. Paul, 1st place division VI traditional building and 1st place game day building. Carey High School competed in the Sunday session of the championships. Results were not available by press time.