They are known as the Dream Team around the Baldwin-Whitehall area.
For the first time in the history its competitive spirit cheer program, Baldwin won the PIAA championship this year in the 3A Large Varsity division.
The PIAA finals took place Jan. 9-10 in Johnstown.
“Going into awards we had zero expectations,” said Taryn Madden, who shares Baldwin’s coaching duties with Dena Mihalsky. “We just knew we did what we could to make our team the most successful. As they announced third place, we as coaches realized we medaled for the first time at the state level, and we were so excited for our kids. But to then hear our name as the winner is a moment we will truly never forget.
“Is it something we always wanted? Yes. Was it something we have worked hard for? Yes. But 3A Large is an incredible division with some of the top teams in the country. To hear our name as the champion brought the coaches, the kids and our parents to tears knowing everything we worked for was for that moment.”
Baldwin’s competitive spirit cheer program has been in existence for a decade. Madden and Mihalsky have been the teams’ only coaches. They have been assisted by Nick Price the past few years.
“Our program’s slogan has been ‘All In’ for 10 years,” Madden said. “That’s years of athletes who worked to pave the way for our win. We would not be the program we are today without each of them and their families, who were the first to reach out to celebrate alongside us.”
“The 26 girls on our team gave everything they had, stayed locked in, and the unexpected win was the icing on the cake. We were already back in the gym the day after we came home to continue preparing for the National High School Cheerleading Championships in a few weeks, and we can’t wait to see what happens this year in Florida with our dream team.”
Baldwin’s previously highest PIAA finish was third place in 2021. The Highlanders were WPIAL champions in 2020.
This year, Baldwin placed third in the WPIAL Class 3A Large Varsity division behind Hempfield and Norwin.
The Highlanders took the top spot at the PIAA finals with an 89.7 point-total, finishing ahead of Norwin (88.5), Hempfield (86.8) and North Allegheny (82.5).
Madden explained in detail the title-winning performance by the Baldwin girls.
“We performed in the preliminary round Friday with a team goal of a hit, meaning (performing) all our stunts in the air with great execution and no mistakes,” she said. “We wanted to prove after a great WPIAL performance in December that we could hit again at states. We typically use the holiday break from school to prepare for WPIALs, but this year, with that competition being moved up, our break allowed us more time to prepare for states.
“We utilized the time in the gym for reps of our stunts and pyramids and fine-tuning all the little details to maximize the score sheet in every way we could with this year’s routine. The practice before we left (for Johnstown) felt different. For the first time, not only did they want to do well at states, they knew they could do well.”
Madden continued.
“Our crowd and support from the other teams in the stands got us a near perfect score in our cheer,” she said, “which made the music portion of our routine come to life. When they finished the end of the routine, we were so proud of what they did. They went after something they wanted and succeeded together.
“The outpouring support from the Norwin coaches, who stood beside us and just got their first state medal, made the winning moment even more special.”
Mihalsky took time to provide background on the team itself.
“At the start of every season, we make it clear that team culture is the top priority of our program and that cheerleaders, coaches and cheer families all have a shared and equal responsibility in both creating and maintaining it,” Mihalsky said. “The phrase ‘All In for Baldwin’ began at a choreography session 10 years ago as a simple catchphrase that we would use to make the cheer portion of our routine memorable. Since then, it has evolved into so much more, and our program culture each season surrounds the standard of being ‘All In.’
“When this season began, we took time out of practices each week to talk as a team about what it means to be ‘All In’ and to discuss challenges we would likely face. We read from the book, ‘Into the Storm,’ and brainstormed ideas of how we can best prepare to face storms and challenges head-on as opposed to prolonging or avoiding them, which inadvertently makes them worse.”
Mihalsky said it was important to work as a team in order to capture the championship.
“In addition, we talked a lot about what we call ‘glue people’ and how important they are to a team — making sure everyone sticks together and feels included, regardless of the circumstances,” she said. “We talked about the fact that there is power in numbers and if we stick together, we can make it through whatever pivots the season would throw our way.”
Two seniors, Carly Dowhy and Keira Kozak, and junior Cali Chraska are the Highlanders’ captains. They also are considered glue people.
“This team in particular really took what we discussed early on in the season and put it into play immediately,” Mihalsky said. “Glue people and natural leaders emerged and made the atmosphere of our practices a place that people want to be. Our team captains have been perfect examples of team players all season long, and I noticed early on that other cheerleaders began mirroring their positive behaviors, as well.
“And a shout out for Ava Garfold, Lily Rock and Lexi Cilia, who have also been glue people all season. They get along with and include everyone. They cheer everyone on during every practice and competition even while they are performing the same skills. They have a team mentality and certainly play a major role in keeping our group so bonded.”
Along with Dowhy and Kozak, the team’s senior class is represented by Rock, Vivien Skalos, Juliana Weiss and Addison Scurry.
Chraska, Lily Weidensall, Rylee Ruffing, Madison Mazzie and Victoria Ursida are juniors. The Highlanders’ eight sophomores are Cilia, Jocelyn Sakely, Delaney Palombia, Evie Polito, Izzi Aranos, Macie Sluganski, Josie Mohring and Layla Spearman.
Garfold, Addie Malock, Bella Edwards, Aria Carson, Arabelle Eynon, Tessa Super and Kendyl Robinson are freshmen.
“This group has been a dream to coach,” Mihalsky said. “They know that this fun team nickname has little to nothing to do with their cheerleading skills or ability, but instead their ability to come together and stick together when times get tough and when the pressure became high.
“I am a firm believer that once team culture is set, the cheerleading part becomes fun and easy. And that is exactly what happened for this team.”
The Baldwin girls are competing Jan. 30-Feb. 1 at the UCA DII National School Spirit Championships in Orlando.