Fishers, IN – The Indian Hills Competitive Cheer & Dance squad is set to travel to Indiana for its first action of the year. The Warriors will head to the 2024 Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA) Hoosier Regional on Saturday.

The Warriors will exhibit both a Game Day routine and a Large CoEd Traditional routine. Saturday's event serves as an opportunity for the Warriors to showcase their talents as they prepare for the upcoming UCA National Championships in Orlando, FL in January. The Warriors will take the stage at 11:22 AM for the Large Varsity Game Day exhibition and 2:35 PM for the Small Varsity Game Day exhibition.

Head coach Cyndi Mellin, along with a number of individuals on the team, discussed the upcoming competition, their excitement for the challenge, and more.

Head Coach Cyndi Mellin

"Junior college cheer teams present a unique challenge in that we have so many athletes come in with dual credits from high school and are only here a year before graduating. That results in an almost brand-new team each season. With that said, I have tremendous confidence in this team. We have athletes from as far as Colorado, Indiana, Honduras, and Brazil. This group is highly motivated and currently 'hitting' the highest difficulty routine we have ever competed. We're so fortunate to have the opportunity to exhibit the routines before we compete them at nationals. This weekend will give the athletes a sense of what it will be like on stage in front of a huge crowd, the toll traveling puts on their body, and practice handling backstage nerves."

Sophomore Jasmine Hughes

"I am beyond excited to be going to Indiana and to be going with this team. This team has come such a far way in so many ways and has so much potential. I can't wait!"

Sophomore Emma Strayer

"As a sophomore, I feel very excited for both Indiana and the year coming forward. We are doing skills this year that are very high-level and so far, ahead of what we were doing last year. Indiana will be a good chance to get new members of the team used to performing on a stage so that we are fully prepared for the big stage at nationals."

Freshman Max Dunn

"I'm excited to be going to a competition so close to home."

Sophomore Harmony Hughes

"I am very excited to head to Indiana, as I feel that trips like these are important for our team especially before nationals. It is a great way for all of us to get to travel together and have team bonding experiences that I believe are much needed to be able to continue having a great year as a team!"

Sophomore Kaylee Visser

"As we prepare to head to Indiana you can really tell how much progress we as a team have made so far this year. From walking in the gym day one being super nervous about how this college team would compare to my other one - I can confidently say this is one of the best decisions I've ever made.

I am excited to be traveling with my team, being able to take the mat and push eachother to do our very best. I think the thing I'm most excited about is being able to bond with everyone and get to know who they are outside of cheerleading. Plus, who doesn't love a little road trip!"

Sophomore Jason Shepard

"It will be a good experience for everyone on the team to get on a stage and perform new skills. I am glad that I can get this experience flying in front of a crowd for the first time before nationals."

Sophomore Ceyera Jensen

"I'm really excited about getting this experience to travel with this team and getting to perform in front of an audience. I think this will help us prepare as a team and bring us closer for our nationals in January getting to know what's it's like traveling together and also knowing how to help each other more individually, especially backstage right before we get ready to perform and knowing what we need to work on more as a team. I think this is also a really good opportunity for the athletes that have never performed something like this so they know what to expect and what it will be like at nationals. It feels really good having something like this under your belt before going to nationals and doing it for the first time."

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