The Northern Oklahoma Cheer Squad is competing at the USA Nationals in Anaheim, California Feb. 23-24.
The Mavs will compete in the preliminary round at 7 p.m. the finals are set for 1:30 p.m. Sunday.
The NOC cheer squad consists of Mattie Brooks, Crescent; Kayden Burtner, Blackwell; Lauryn Bynum, Tonkawa; Lauren Champlin, Ponca City; Zac Fruits, Tonkawa; Madison Henderson, Jeffrey Hobbs, Newkirk; Kierra Hudson, Dewey; Miranda Lewis, Dewey; Alexis Lipperd (Mav Mascot), Crescent; Hannah Mendiola, Tonkawa; Brianne O'Neill, Tonkawa; Whitney Roquemore, Ponca City; Treston Suppes-Smith, Newkirk; and Kobe White, Tonkawa.
NOC has been working on their routine since just before Christmas break but had a recent injury as Lauren Champlin broke her collarbone in practice last week.
"Lauren (Champlin) was a main base in our middle stunt group and a main base in our pyramid," said NOC Cheer Coach Karri Morrill. "She also was part of our standing tumbling formation and running tumbling choreography. All of that has had to be modified."
"But, we were able to adjust and get creative to finish out the pyramid with the same top girl so we could use two other girls in new positions," Morrill added. "It's been a challenging and interesting week but adversity definitely can define you. I believe that this team has risen to the challenge."
Last year, NOC placed 3rd at the LTD Nationals at CANAM in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
"That was the first time many of our sophomores experienced cheer competition of any form so I believe that experience will help them as we compete at USA Nationals this week.
More information is available at https://www.varsity.com/usa/school/competitions/college-nationals/ .