The Patrick Henry High competition cheer team walked away with first place recently at the CIF San Diego Section Competition. This accomplishment followed the team’s 2023 CIF runner-up finish.
“As a coach, there’s nothing more rewarding than seeing your team succeed,” head coach Selina Jimenez said. “I’m incredibly proud of the hard work these girls put in, and it’s gratifying to see that effort pay off.”
According to Jimenez, the comeback was well-deserved and means so much to the entire Patrick Henry cheer program.
“It’s a testament to the dedication, perseverance, and unity we’ve built over the years,” Jimenez said. “Watching their joy as they celebrated their win was priceless. A huge thank you to our additional coaches, Darrell Williams and Salwa Aqeel, our choreographer Roy Adam Lucas (Royal Choreography) for his exceptional work, and to our parents and administration for their continued support.”
For the student-athletes who put in so much time and effort, the hard work paid off.
“To me, last week’s win at CIF means the world,” Taylor Broussard said. “I know better than anyone how much the team has wanted this victory after two years of being runners-up. We’ve all been through so much this season, and seeing what we’ve worked so hard for come to life has been amazing.”
Fellow cheerleader Vivian Kreth said: “Winning the championship at CIF means everything to my team and me. The win is the result of all the hard work and sacrifices we’ve made together, and it’s proof that our dedication and time have paid off in the end. More than the win itself, I’m proud of how we’ve grown as a team and the bonds we’ve created along the way!”
“I am overwhelmed with gratitude for this past weekend’s CIF win,” Sophia Simpson said. “Over the last three years, I’ve had the privilege of watching this program grow in incredible ways. As a team, we’ve poured our hearts into the hard work it took to reach this point, and I truly believe every single one of my teammates has earned this victory.
“The challenges we’ve faced together haven’t always been easy, but they’ve shaped us into a stronger and more connected team. I am beyond proud to share this accomplishment with such a talented and inspiring group of people,” Simpson said.
For this group of Patrick High student-athletes, it was a weekend they will remember for the rest of their lives.
Photos courtesy of Patrick Henry High School
