Mason Places Second, Moves on to Regionals; Janski Named Best

Over this past weekend, The George Mason High School cheerleading squad took second place at the Bull Run District tournament, qualifying it for a trip to regionals in two weeks. Mason’s squad earned more individual awards than any other school, among them the coveted "Cheerleader of the Year Award" which went to Mason senior Kristin Janski. Lasso Online reporter Kate O’Hara was present to capture the excitement and ambiance of the intense competition.

By Kate O’Hara (February 24, 2003)

The Brentsville District High School gym is filled with friends, family members, and countless others who have come to cheer on the four different squads that have supported their schools at endless events and games. These girls have endured late and early practices, injuries, and hours of hard work and all of these factors have come to a culmination today. 
 

Jenny Evans, Kristen Janski, Elise Edwards, Betn Tyson and Kelly Ballard with Coach Keri Lambert all received district commendation	The last district competition for seniors Jessie Jondrow, Ying He, Jenny Evans and Kristen Janski seen with Coach Lambert. Photos by Kate O'Hara

It’s the 2002-2003 Bull Run District cheerleading competition. Spotless uniforms and tightly curled hair are the norm as are ankle and knee braces and taped wrists and hands. These girls, and a few guys are all vying for a spot in the top three. The teams that are fortunate enough to fill these spaces will advance to the regional competition two weeks from today. 

Those that win will return to their respective gyms and tumbling mats to improve and tweak the routines that helped them show the judges what they’re made of. Each squad must dance, tumble, stunt and demonstrate to the judges that they can make a crowd cheer. To the average spectator at an event like this words such as basket tosses, fulls, or scorpians might not mean a thing, but to each individual on the floor they comprise a vocabulary all of their own. 

Cheerleading is a sport that combines dance, gymnastics and acrobatics. The athletes here today have worked just as hard, if not harder than any other team competing for a district, regional, or state title. The George Mason High School squad is no different.  Trained by dedicated coach, Keri Lambert, they have claimed numerous district and regional titles, and in their 2000-2001 season competed at the state level. Today they take the floor as if they own it. Performing with the biggest squad at the competition and the most difficult routine, they pull through the first round triumphantly. After the first round, the Rappahannock County High School squad is eliminated, and BDHS, Strasburg High School and GMHS advance to the second round to compete for the District title. Although they know that they will compete at the regional competition, the tension and focus remains. They know that they must work hard and do their best, they want to win. One characteristic that is evident in every person here is an incredible work ethic. It’s a must, a cheerleader can’t survive without it. This shines through in their routine, it’s on their smiling faces and the energy resonates in every back handspring they land, and each girl that sails into the air.

Freshman Megan Bledsoe hits a 'U' with her stunting group

The second round begins and Mason must compete last. They start with a bang! The crowd is roaring with affection and support. Although the time they have on the floor is short, they use every second to encourage each other and everyone in their vicinity. With an obvious feeling of triumph they take their seats in the stands to await the judges’ decision.

After several minutes filled with mixed feelings of relief and excitement, the judges return. Before the winners are announced, cheerleaders from each team are given awards for their excellence and dedication to their chosen sport. Mason sophomore Kelly Ballard was commended with second team all district, and Elise Edwards, Jenny Evans, Beth Tyson, and Kristin Janski also received first team all district recognition.

The GMHS team has received more awards than any other school. The final, and one of the most coveted awards, Cheerleader of the Year, is given last. The emcee announces over the speaker, "From George Mason High School.. . .Kristin Janski!" 

Coach Keri Lambert’s face is beaming with pride and love, Kristin’s with shock. She runs to the center of the mat to receive her award and runs directly back to her team to receive congratulations in the forms of hugs and smiles. 

Then the moment arrives, the Bull Run District runner-up is announced, "George Mason High School." A second-place victory well deserved. Strasburg is awarded first place, and Brentsville third. With their minds on regionals, and their hearts in their cheering, each girl rushes into the crowd to find the friends and family that have supported them not only at this single competition, but during their entire season filled with late games, hours of practicing, and many other countless sacrifices.

After they return tonight, the squad will have one day to rest before they resume their difficult schedule and prepare to face the other teams in their region. Their dedication and love of cheering doesn’t stop. 
 

The entire George Mason cheerleading squad celebrated their many awards