MOSES LAKE — On Saturday, the Moses Lake Scorpions competed in the Washington Special Olympics district cheer competition where they earned a gold medal in the level one group. Head coach Kerry Aronsohn said it was great to see Moses Lake host the first ever district competition.   

“This was a huge step for a Special Olympics cheer this year to have districts,” Aronsohn said. “There was a Western Washington district competition, which was the whole west side of the state, and they competed earlier in January, and then on Saturday, the whole eastern side of the state.”  

Before they took to the mat, the cheerleaders huddled together to hype each other up one more time before performing. They started with their gameday routine, where they shouted chants that the audience could repeat back to them.   

“Light it up,” they chanted as they held up signs for the audience to follow.   

From there, they moved into their stunts, where they performed with music playing in the background. With pom poms in hand, the Scorpions brought the energy for the Moses Lake crowd as they were on their way to a gold medal.   

Aside from the Scorpions, 10 other teams competed in the district competition across three levels. According to Aronsohn, cheer teams can compete in the introductory, zero or one level. The top three placers that earn gold, silver and bronze medals from each level advance to the state competition.   

With this being the first year that Special Olympics Washington could host a district tournament, Aronsohn was excited that Moses Lake was selected to be the first host, she said. She felt the event showed how much the program has grown over the years.   

“It's been amazing to witness. I've been coaching Special Olympics cheer almost from the very beginning that Washington done it,” she said. “To see the growth over the last several years has just been amazing. In fact, at state, we've had to change venues. We've gone from smaller venues to larger. Now we're at Wenatchee High School using one of their big gyms, and it was so great to have the districts at Larson Recreation Center.”   

Last year, the Scorpions earned gold medals at the state competition and will have a chance to go back-to-back this year in Wenatchee. While finding success on the mat is always fun for the cheerleaders and Aronsohn, the biggest priority is having fun.   

“We just put in the work and do our very best, and we're happy with whatever happens,” Aronsohn said. “We're very much about cheering on everybody and about good sportsmanship. It's nice to win gold, but that's not our main goal. Our main goal is to have a good experience, to be a good team that supports one another, to just make this a really positive experience for all the athletes involved.”   

Aronsohn praised her cheerleaders for the hard work they put into their routines. Seeing them feel the sense of accomplishment is something she enjoys seeing. The Scorpions team also serves as a positive outlet for them to make friends and be a part of the community in a unique way.   

“This is an outlet where they can join together with a team and, find camaraderie and support. It's really great, and the families of our athletes are super supportive. I really was amazed at the community support that we got at districts, because it was the first time we've ever had a Special Olympics cheer event in Moses Lake,” Aronsohn said.   

The state competition takes place from Feb. 27 to Mar. 1 at the Wenatchee Convention Center. On Feb. 27, the Scorpions will receive a sendoff with an escort by emergency responders. Aronsohn encourages anyone in Moses Lake to attend and send Scorpions to Wenatchee on a high note.   

    Moses Lake Scorpions work through their gameday routine at the Special Olympics Washington district competition. Head Coach Kerry Aronsohn, in black “coach” shirt, guides her cheerleaders through the routine.
  

    Three Moses Lake Scorpions lift a teammate up for one of their stunts at the Special Olympics Washington district competition.
  

    The Moses Lake Scorpions perform their gameday routine at the Special Olympics Washington district competition. This year was the first time the Special Olympics Washington held a district competition.