On September 18th, the Wagner Red Raiders competed at the Competitive Cheer Wagner Invitational. There were three other teams that participated in the invitational, the Platte-Geddes/ Andes Central/Dakota Christian Black Panthers, the Gregory Lady Gorillas and the Winner Area Warriors. Not only was it a cheer competition but also had several dance category competitions. In the Cheer category first place went to Winner, second place to Gregory, third place to Wagner and finishing in fourth place was Platte-Geddes/Andes Central/Dakota Christian. In the Jazz Dance competition first place went to the Platte-Geddes/ Andes Central/Dakota Christian team. For the Hip Hop Dance category Gregory took first place followed by Winner with second. In the final category, Pom Dance Gregory finished first, followed by Platte-Geddes/Andes Central /Dakota Christian and Winner coming in third. The Lady Gorillas won the title of Grand Champion in Dance.

It was a special night for the Red Raiders as it was parent’s night for the teams two seniors Kennedy Court and Raelynn Kuhlman.

Raelynn Kuhlman is the daughter of Mike and Jamie Kuhlman. Her stunting position is a backspot. She joined cheer because of encouragement from her mom since she was not interested in playing volleyball and has been a member of the team since she was an eighth grader. Kuhlman’s favorite stunt as a flyer is a twisting baha and as a base is the all-girl rewind. Her favorite skill to do is the back handspring. Raelynn’s favorite cheer memory was downtime at the 2022 state competition.

Kennedy Court is the daughter of Dustin Court and Trista Court. Kennedy’s stunting position is a side base. She joined cheer after being convinced by Raelynn to tryout and wanted to learn how to do flips. Court has been a member of the team since she was an eighth grader. Her favorite stunt is the all-girl rewind in the pyramid and her favorite skill is walking/ running in a bridge at people. Kennedy’s favorite cheer memory was the first time the team hit their all-girl rewind. The entire team was beyond excited and was screaming and jumping mid stunt. Court’s advice to younger cheerleaders is to always smile.

The Wagner Red Raiders are coached by head coach Ciera Hansen and assistant coach Michaela Ziegler. Team members are seniors Raelynn Kuhlman and Kennedy Court; junior Madison Robertson; sophomore Brooklin Nielsen; freshmen Jessica Barnett, Riley Hernandez, Kieradyn Knudsen, Roper Lhotak, Jaycee Martin, Jacqueline Selwyn and Hayden Wren; eighth graders Addison Fischer and Amel Greger; seventh graders Julia Krug, Sienna Kuhlman, and Kennedy Tipton. They are a very young team with a lot of skill and talent. They have some great upper classmen leadership that will help them grow as a team. Best of luck in future competitions.