Lonestar Spirit Academy performs well at national meets

CAPTION: The Red Rubyz squad includes Maisyn Ince (front row, left) and Taylor Hoff; Brooks Williams (middle row, left), Brixley Herrera and Adeline McKinney; Morgan Langbein (back row, left), Savannah Wessels, Rowyn Bledsoe, Aubrey Hamm, Leila Garcia, Emma Owens and coach Khailen Chenault. Courtesy photo

Two cheerleading squads from Marble Falls’ Lonestar Spirit Academy competed in national meets that earned the respect and praise from judges and competitors alike.

The Red Rubyz All-Star cheer team finished seventh at The One Prime Finals, one of the country’s premier cheerleading competitions, in early May. The event drew 29 squads from different states. The Red Rubyz earned a 96.71, the highest score ever recorded by a Lonestar Spirit Academy team at any competition.

Judges also awarded the Red Rubyz with a “Hit ZERO” routine. That means judges didn’t give deductions of any sort throughout the team’s performance – no dropped stunts, falls, timing error or safety penalties.

Team members had two months to learn a new routine for the competition after personnel changes.

“This is what Lonestar athletes are made of,” said Taylor Graff, owner of Lonestar Spirit Academy. “Their heart, determination and ability to rise to the moment truly set them apart.”

Red Rubyz advanced to The One Prime Finals after becoming the Division II Champions at the Splish Splash Championship in Round Rock in April. The team earned the event’s Best Dance Award.

Vengeance also had a Hit ZERO routine while competing at the D2 Summit Championship at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla., recently

“This season tested our athletes in unexpected ways,” Graff said. “They had every reason to give up, but instead they chose to work harder, trust each other and keep moving forward. Their resilience and heart are what make us the most proud.”

Trophies and scoresheets help tell part of the story, team officials said. The season’s greatest accomplishment may have been the growth shown by the athletes themselves, they added. Both Red Rubyz and Vengeance demonstrated that success is not only measured by placement, but also by the ability to overcome obstacles, adapt to change and continue pursuing excellence, they said.

Their accomplishments represent Lonestar Spirit academy’s mission – developing confident, resilient athletes while bringing nationally competitive all-star cheer opportunities to the Texas Hill Country.

CAPTION: Team Vengeance includes Blake Alexander (front row, left) and Toria Nixon; Kiley May (back row, left), Brekyn Langley, Hannah Walker, Blakeley Graff, Natalie Roberson, Gracie Robison and Adrian Eubank. Courtesy photo