On a rainy Saturday, January 14, Watkins Mill’s poms competed against three other teams at invitationals for a spot on top, which the team has been preparing for since August.

Unfortunately they did not come out with the win they wanted. “We were not all the way ready, but we went out there and tried our best,” senior co-captain Dejia Workcuff said.

But the girls did not go home empty handed. Sophomore Taylor Dawson won the second place captain award. “I did not expect [to win the award] at all,” Dawson said. “ As a sophomore…oh my gosh. Just so exciting.” The crowd also brought home the Spirit Award, for the loud and proud show of support for the Lady ‘Rines.

“At first I was very nervous, but when we were done I was happy because we were a lot better than I expected, and we came together as team,” Dawson said after performance. “Overall, I think we did very well. It was a little shaky and we need to work on a few things, but other than that I think we did good.”

Science teacher Matt Johnson was there to support the poms squad and said that he had a lot of faith in the girls coming into the competition.  Despite the loss, Johnson reiterated how proud he was of them for their performance.  “I think they need to stay strong, positive and focused even with those nerves they have to try and drop them and focus on the moves,” Johnson said.

“Going into invitationals, I had a little doubt, but we came out so much stronger than I initially thought we were going to,” senior captain Marena Ford said. “Based off the comments we got from the judges at invitationals verses now, I think we’ll see bigger improvement.”

Former members of the squad came to support and cheer on the team as they’ve been through this as well and know what it’s like. “I feel as if they’re going to do amazing,” junior Christina Cordero said. “I’m always rooting for them no matter the outcome because they worked so hard for this and are doing their best.”

The poms still have another chance to win it all at the County Competition on February 4.  Come support the squad and help them bring home more wins.