MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — Southside had typically finished in the middle of the pack at the NCHSAA cheerleading state championships. This year was different. Back in November, the Lady Seahawks beat out local rival Washington and Forest Hills in the D2 Large Varsity Division to win a state cheerleading championship.

This Southside squad

“This is one of those teams you read about and hear about. It’s just magic,” coach Emily Davis said.

Davis added that, from the get go, this has been a goal-oriented group. The Lady Seahawks claimed their state championship, but were eager to keep the ball rolling at a national-championship competition this past weekend.

Southside rose to the occasion during its two performances at the two-day event. Each day accounted for half of the team’s score. The Lady Seahawks went through both of their routines with no deductions, which Davis said is almost unheard of.

“They’re feeling good and they’re proud,” Davis said.

Southside had to overcome adversity over the course of the season. Mere days before the state championship in November, the team lost two of its members. While the Lady Seahawks have over 20 cheerleaders, losing even two completely derailed the planned routine and all of the preparation for the state championship.

“That Wednesday before, we had to change everything, which made that victory that much more emotional,” Davis said. The team practiced until 9 p.m. every night and two hours before leaving for Raleigh on that Saturday.

“We had worked so hard perfecting that routine we were going to states with that that Wednesday was rough. It was a lot of anger, a lot of doubt. It was a low moment.”

Southside will graduate three from its 24-person championship roster. The bar has been set about as high as it can go. It’s been a long campaign for the Lady Seahawks, but after a little rest, Davis knows they’ll be chomping at the bit to get back.

“They know that they got to keep it up,” she said. “I think they’re tired. I think we’re all tired. I feel like, once May rolls around, they’ll be right back in it. They love the break. We all love the break, but two weeks and they’ll be itching to get back to it.

“It’s in their blood. I know it’s cheesy, but any athlete that is so passionate about their sport, it’s just in their blood. It will be fun to see, come summertime, what the mindset is.”