Senior cheer captains lead team to fourth consecutive district title

For senior cheer captains Whitney Booth and Iyesha Souiri, taking home the title of district champions once again marks a satisfying conclusion to their cheer careers.
Despite a change in districts this past year, the varsity cheer team won their fourth consecutive title.
“The most special thing about being on varsity all four years at Marshall [has been] creating memorable bonds with the people in the grades above and below me as the years go by,” Booth said.
Experience gave Booth and Souiri the opportunity to lead the team to another championship season.
“The [previous] seniors definitely left us with a lot of life lessons,” Souiri said. “Since the seniors are the older kids, I always looked up to them. They were great role models and they inspired me with their great energy and tight form.”
When Marshall athletics switched districts ahead of this season, the team faced a new challenge.
“The district change this year was nerve-wracking because some of the new teams in the district have had a lot of talent in the past, but this was good for Marshall cheer because it made us work harder now that we had harder competition,” Booth said.
Despite the situation, the team has not let it phase them.
“Every year is different with expectations, but I do think that the returning members always really emphasize hard work and adaptability to ensure the squad will be strong,” varsity head coach Dominic Borello said. “It’s very humbling to be part of four consecutive district titles and to be named coach of the year again.”
For the cheer squad, team dynamics is a key to success. Borello said it requires trust to get you up in the air.
“Being confident in yourself and your teammates is what makes this program successful,” varsity head coach Dominic Borello said. “The kids believe in themselves and are each other’s biggest cheerleaders. The athletes hold themselves and their teammates to high standards.
Being able to have a successful season four years in a row is an impressive accomplishment for any athletic team.
“Winning as a freshman was surprising because that’s the year we first got our title back,” Souiri said. “As a senior, it’s such an amazing feeling — it’s satisfying.”