The school year's early returns were not promising for the Murdock varsity co-ed cheer team.
After practicing up to seven days a week leading up to the fall's first invitational, the cheerleaders' bodies and minds were burnt out and their spirits were low. They were overworked, sore and tired after learning a routine that they had just reworked a few weeks prior due to the roster dwindling from 11 athletes down to eight.
The program was undergoing a cycle of turnover in coaching, with new people coming and going before finally having a consistent group of coaches.
As a result, in their first invitational of the fall, the team finished in last place.
"From the end of August into September was a lot of change, it definitely took a toll on us," said junior captain Clayton Tenney.
After the last-place finish, the Blue Devils had an immediate chance for redemption with another competition the very next day. They rallied, looking like a completely different team – winning the invitational as Grand Champs. With the victory, they not only won their division but were the highest scorers of the entire session, as well as first in the co-ed division while earning special stunt scores.
The disappointing performance could have set the tone for the season. Instead, they pushed harder and suddenly the low-scoring moment of the beginning of the season was far, far behind them.
A comeback season
Murdock cheer head coach Sammi Salem took over midway through the 2023-24 season and has led the team since then, after serving as an assistant coach starting in 2021. Alongside Salem is assistant coach Tamara Hayes and volunteer coach Madison Pesce, who helped in the turnaround of not just this season but the program overall.
Since winning the Grand Champ title immediately after their not-so-ideal first performance, they have continued to shine on the mat. They were named Grand Champions two more times, once at another invitational and another at the Mid-Wach league competition. It is the first time in program history they have won that title three times in a season.
"That really gave us the confidence boost for the rest of the season," Salem said.
The Blue Devils kept it rolling into Regionals, where they placed first in their division. Then, States brought upon a big learning experience.
Despite performing their best and feeling as though they couldn't have done any better, it still wasn't enough to win that day. They took second place by just 3/10 of a point against a strong Foxboro High squad – a repeat winner at the Division 2 level. It was still something they were proud of, ...
