Senior Josie Carlton has been competing on the CHS cheer teams for the past three years.  This year she captained the winter cheer team to a third straight state competition appearance.  They competed at the district competition on December 9 and they placed fourth.  We recently had the chance to catch up with her.  

Q1: How long have you been competing in cheerleading?

A1: This is my third year competing for Carlisle’s competition team.

Q2: What are your leadership roles on the team?

A2: I am the co-captain of the varsity squad with Sariah Grant.

Q3: What is different about this season than the past years?

A3: This season is a lot different from past years because this year, the team is split down the middle of being experienced in competing and never have competed before. [During] my first year competing, there was a lot of experienced girls on the team and the year following there was a lot of girls who have never competed before. This year was pretty interesting because there was a mix between the two.  

Q4: Do you feel it is helpful to be participating most of the year in either fall cheerleading or winter competitive cheerleading? Why do you feel this way?

A4: I like participating in both because it is always fun and keeps me busy. I think doing fall cheer helps the team a lot in order to prepare for winter cheer because we are able to find what stunts look best for the team.

Q5: What was it like qualifying for states for the third year in a row?

A5: Going to states for the third year in a row is so amazing! Each year we have improved our scores and this year we really pushed through. We have never placed in the top 10 of districts but this year we placed 4th out of 14 teams. This was a great highlight of my senior year!

Q6: How does being a military kid impact your cheer career?

A6: In eighth grade, I cheered for my middle school team in Kansas. When I came to Carlisle, the cheer atmosphere was very different. I learned how to stunt and improve my skills coming into high school. I do wish I could have stayed to cheer with my friends in Kansas but I’m glad I have the team that I have now.

Q7: Do you have any specific goals for the state competition?

A7: Every year our goal is to hit all of our stunts at states but this year I feel more confident that we will so my goal this time is to qualify for the second day of states.

Q8: Do you have any plans for the future?

A8: I will be attending Bloomsburg University in the fall of 2018 and I haven’t decided yet if I would like to cheer or not. I may take a year off and continue with cheer my sophomore year in college.