Everybody knows the longtime cheer, proudly led by our cheerleaders, that echoes through the ASIJ gym and rallies the school behind our Mustang athletes: “Y-E-L-L! Y-E-L-L! Everybody yell, go Mustangs!” And if you’ve been to any football or basketball games this year, you’ve definitely seen the cheer team’s high-flying stunts and contagious energy, driving Mustang pride from start to finish.
Dressed in black and gold, with big smiles and voices louder than the crowd, the ASIJ Cheer Team is a true representation of the school’s spirit. With winter cheer season having ended, Sara H., the team’s junior captain, wants to spotlight the primary goal that powered the cheer team throughout its difficult season: placing highly at the Far East tournament.
Last year, our Mustang Cheerleaders placed 4th at the Far East. The team was proud of its achievement, especially considering it was their first year participating; yet, they were highly motivated to improve and make a podium appearance next time.
Consequently, Sara and her co-captain, Anna F., ensured that Far East remained at the forefront of the cheerleaders’ minds throughout the season, guiding the team through consistent practices and deliberate preparation. The team’s strong determination and ample time devoted finally paid off, as they placed second during the Far East at Yokota. The finish validated their tireless discipline, setting a new standard for what the program believes it can achieve.
A big reason that focus translated into results is how much responsibility ASIJ’s captains carry behind the scenes: unlike most competing schools, ASIJ cheer captains choreograph both halftime routines and competition dances. This work is difficult, as captains must design routines that optimize scoring while accounting for illegal moves and skill levels. This part of the sport is often unknown or overlooked, but our cheer captains deserve recognition for the strenuous process that this choreography entails.
Of course, choreography only translates from ideation to practice if the team can build it together, which is another area where ASIJ’s cheer team stands out. Sara describes the team’s dynamic as tight-knit yet receptive to constructive criticism. Everyone can offer and receive feedback while actively using it to improve their performance. In a sport where every count and connection matters, this trust makes it substantially easier for the team to refine its execution.
For rising high schoolers and others interested in joining the cheer team, Sara encourages them to try out. She was reluctant to enter her first year, but regrets the wait, reflecting on the many friendships and experiences she might’ve missed out on. “You never know what you’re capable of until you try,” she says—the mindset that led the team from fourth place to second place, and will continue to define ASIJ cheer.
