Warrior Cheer put on an exciting performance at Fusion, a showcase for all high school and middle schools in RRISD on Saturday, March 2. Fusion gave all cheer teams an opportunity to showcase their hard work throughout the season, and compete against other programs. The Warriors performed a routine packed with exciting stunts, tumbling, and dances full of spirit, marking another successful showcase.

Starting their performance with a jump and dance section, the Warriors’ routine got off on the right foot with the team’s sharp movements and clean jumps. This section ended with a cut off pyramid formation in which a group of girls tumbled backwards doing back handsprings.

“I liked the toe touch into the backhandspring,” Leah Kleinman ‘25 said. “It was a good start to the routine.”

The Warriors then waved to the crowd while bringing up the energy and changed formation to begin the group stunt portion. The stunts began with a quick up-to-prep, a fast and efficient way to get prepared. Two groups then pushed up to an extension and the center group pushed to a Lib, which is a one legged stunt. The groups then performed their dismount with a full down, which is a full twist down to a cradle, a catching position. To finish off the group stunts portion the schools performed a Baja, a two handed assisted flip.

“I liked the extension to full down because it was a challenge for us,” Kleinman said. “[It also] looked good to the audience.”

The team then transitioned into the pyramid section of the routine. The five groups lined up next to each other and set their grips. The two middle stunt groups did a front flip to cradle. After the stunt groups reloaded the set for Libs and went up to perform. Once in the air, the two main groups did a Tik Tok, a stunt where the flyers switch legs. After that, the two main flyers Mia Serpas ‘24 and Delaney Johnson ‘26 hitched to the assisting flyers to officially end the stunts in the routine.

“The best part about being in the main group is that feeling when the pyramid goes perfectly,” Jenna Hallidy ‘25 said. “It makes it worth all the hard work and effort you put in.”

Finally, the team began their tumbling section. The first pass was a roundoff back handspring performed by Taelyn Zinnecker ‘27, Lauren Patterson ‘26, and Erica Nielsen ‘27. The next pass, done by Amber Howell ‘24, was a round off triple back handspring. After that Delaney Johnson ‘26 did a front walkover round off triple back handspring, and following that, Aliya Yu ‘27 and Kleinman did a roundoff back handspring tuck, followed by another round off backhandspring tuck from Francie Smith ‘24. Finally, finishing off the tumbling section, Anika Schwalm ‘26 threw a round off triple back handspring tuck.

“I’m already tired from the first half of the routine so I’m just thinking about throwing [my pass] and praying that it hits.” Amber Howell ‘24 said.

The routine closed with a dance filled with ripples, level changes, and a strong finishing pose.

“[Fusion is] the last time we get to be together as a team and the last time to perform with the girls that I’ve been with for four years, ” Howell said. “It’s bittersweet that it’s over but I just try to enjoy the moment.”

Fusion gave the team a great opportunity to showcase their talent for the community and brought a close to the 2023-2024 cheer season.