I am a Davenport Cheerleader and have had the wonderful opportunity to experience five national championship wins. Out of all five of those national championships the memories, experiences, and people I have gained along the way mean way more than the rings that I can tangibly hold. The hours that you put in for your dream with the people that become family are way more important. Every year there is always a 50 percent chance we will lose and a 50 percent chance that we will win. This is because our coaches make sure we take the mat being maxed out in every category making sure our only job is to hit the routine. The thing is the past three years I have experienced that we do not hit the routine for the win but for the girl on the mat next to you who has worked through all the adversities life constantly throws at her. For the girl who had a mental block and struggled to find the confidence to throw her skills again. For the girl who face-planted over and over again but never gave up because she was doing it for her team. For the girl who did not make mat but is your biggest cheerleader. You do it for the experience of the hit of the routine and not for the win. You do it to experience the gratification of your coaches and your teammates. You do it for the memories of how hard and challenging the routine was, but you faced it and worked hard to beat it. You do it for the little girl who fell in love with the sport and never looked back. Being someone who has experienced many national titles the one thing I can tell you and live by is the experiences that you go through on the way mean far more than that trophy, ring, or banner. Yes, all of the materialistic things are nice, but you learn far more about yourself through the uphill battle you go through.