In a remarkable display of skill, dedication and teamwork, Lambert’s competitive cheer team has already left an indelible mark on the Georgia high school cheerleading scene this year.
Senior standouts Sade Ezekiel and Sophie Santander made it to the GCCA (Georgia Cheerleaders Coaching Association) all-state team, securing a coveted spot among the top 16 cheerleaders in the state. This achievement is a testament to their unwavering commitment and also marks the first time in six years that a Lambert cheerleader has ascended to such heights.
The team has undertaken a remarkable feat that’s pushing boundaries within their field. Their standout stunt—an intricate hand-in-hand maneuver—has not only turned heads but also garnered significant attention from the cheerleading community.
“No one in the Georgia high school teams had ever attempted this stunt before,’ Ezekiel stated.
“To repeat and perfect it this year was a huge accomplishment for us.”
Ezekiel has competed on Lambert’s team since her freshman year. As a senior, she has vast insights into the qualities that define a successful competitive cheerleader.
“You have to be coachable, accountable and responsible,” she explained.
She believes that being coachable allows for growth as athletes readily accept corrections and implement changes.
For Ezekiel and the rest of the team, accountability and responsibility are equally pivotal as teammates depend on each other in the intricacies of their routines.
“People have to count on you,” Ezekiel emphasized. “You have to do your job, and people have to believe and trust in you.”
Last year, Lambert’s cheer team clinched the state championship—an act that carried them through both triumphs and challenges. Ezekiel candidly recounts a trying period during the previous season, marked by injuries and setbacks.
“During the season we had a lot of injuries,” she recalled. “We weren’t able to practice as hard as we wanted to or as often as we wanted to.”
Through steady determination, the team overcame these hurdles and emerged triumphant as state, region and sectional champions.
Maintaining team spirit and cohesion during challenging times has shed a light on Ezekiel’s leadership. She credits her role as a team motivator and offers words of affirmation to uplift her teammates. This approach fosters an unbreakable bond, a strength that Ezekiel underscores.
“No matter what happens, we have a great bond…and we can get over anything together,” she said.
Behind Lambert’s success story lies the coaching staff’s commitment to personal connection and mentorship. It has certainly left an impression on Ezekiel.
“They coach with heart,” she stated. “They pour their heart into every single thing they tell us to do.”
This emphasis on genuine connection propels the team to excellence, fostering a sense of purpose and unity.
As Lambert’s competitive cheer team continues to chase victory on the state mat this year, their legacy of innovation, resilience and collaboration remains an inspiring example of longhorn pride.
