MFHS cheerleaders receive all-state, academic all-state honors

Five Marble Falls High School cheerleaders were named to the all-state team of the Texas Girls Coaches Association recently, while seven seniors made the academic all-state team.

Head coach Lauren Berkman said she couldn’t be prouder of seniors Mary Cormier, Lillie Deeds and Jeanna Watson and juniors Alyssa Berkman and Anne McCary for their selection to the all-state team or of seniors Isabel Dahl, Maria Leon, Katy Marroquin, Anneliese Schmidt, Avery Tepper, Deeds and Watson for being named to the academic all-state team.

Regarding the five all-state members, Berkman said, “We were real lucky to have five selected. Their selections highlight skills that cheerleaders perform.”

The coach noted being named to the all-state team involves more than being able to chant and get crowds involved. As part of the nomination process that was due in early January, Berkman had to include each cheerleader’s skills, leadership qualities and grade point average. A cheerleader’s gymnastics skills involving standing and running tumbling also was an important element in the selection process, she added.

“A coach has to provide credentials,” she said. “It includes tumbling as well as what they can do in a group. Each coach has to provide reasons for why that cheerleader is nominated. And being an exceptional leader also means being a leader in your community and at your school. It’s a pretty involved nomination process. (As for tumbling), they’re really strong in whatever position they’re in. They can perform a lot of skills that aren’t easily obtainable.”

The seniors named to academic all-state had to maintain a 94 grade point average for all four years.

“Out of 11 seniors, seven met the criteria,” the coach said. “That shows they’re leaders on the sidelines and in the classroom. We’re super proud of them as well.”

Berkman said she nominated more than the five selected to the all-state team.

“I think we had several girls very much deserving, and I’m sad we didn’t have more represented on the team,” she said. “The ones who were selected are all very strong cheerleaders, they’re strong tumblers. Four of the five were captains, and Mary was a leader by example. They’re incredibly hard workers, and they’re going to do what I ask them to do and not question it. They’re incredible representatives of the campus and have a lot of leadership skills and campus involvement. They’re great supporters of the Mustangs and representatives of the Mustangs.”

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