By Marisa Dawson, Photos Courtesy of Bailey Rolfe & Kristen McCrillis
The Bennington High School cheer team delivered a standout performance at a recent competition held at Standing Bear High School in Lincoln, going head-to-head with several programs boasting multiple state titles.
Competing in the traditional and non-building non-tumbling divisions, the squad captured first place in traditional, second place in non-building non-tumbling, and earned the overall Class B division title. They also received a special judges’ award for excellent stunts.
Head Coach Kristen McCrillis praised the team’s poise under pressure.
“What stood out to me most was our team’s composure and confidence on the mat,” she said. “They didn’t perform intimidated — they performed focused. Their timing, energy, and trust in one another were on full display.”
The achievement is especially impressive given the team’s balanced roster: 10 returning varsity athletes and 10 newcomers. McCrillis credited the rapid team unity to the veterans’ leadership and the new athletes’ positive attitude.
“Our veterans took ownership of welcoming and mentoring the new athletes, and that created trust very quickly,” she explained. “It never felt like ‘returners versus newcomers’ — it felt like one team with a shared goal.”
In the non-tumbling divisions, success hinges on precision rather than acrobatics. Bennington’s edge came from meticulous attention to detail.
“Every motion has to be sharp and intentional,” McCrillis noted. “The team performed with confidence and energy, hit their motions together, and stayed composed from start to finish. That consistency and attention to details is what earned us those first- and second-place finishes.”
The judges’ award for excellent stunts highlighted the squad’s strength in that area, a result of relentless fundamentals.
“Stunt success comes down to repetition, trust, and fundamentals,” McCrillis said. “The athletes hold each other accountable… Earning that award was a reflection of that work ethic and the trust they’ve built as a team.”
Adding to the celebration, McCrillis was nominated and selected as Coach of the Year by athletes and parents, an emotional honor for her.
“It was incredibly humbling and honestly very emotional,” she shared. “To be nominated by the athletes and parents meant everything to me, because it showed that they feel supported, challenged, and valued. This award really belongs to the team as well as my amazing Assistant Coach, Bailey Rolfe.”
With early success raising expectations, the athletes have responded with maturity and drive.
“They’ve embraced that challenge rather than shying away from it,” McCrillis said. “They stay focused on improvement, remain coachable, and continue to support one another.”
The team now sets its sights on the home competition at Bennington High School on February 7 and the state meet in Grand Island on February 19. McCrillis emphasized refining the small details while maintaining the confidence that has defined their season so far.
The Bennington cheer program is off to a powerful start under McCrillis’s leadership, and the squad is hungry to keep building momentum through state.
