Wheaton High School POM Squad Places 3rd in County Championships

On Saturday, February 1st, nine (9) Pompon Squads competed for the Montgomery County Division III Pompon Championship held at Richard Montgomery High School.  The gymnasium was packed with friends and family cheering on their school making for an electric atmosphere. 

Wheaton High School's accomplishment this cool morning was significant for the school.   Although the school has received awards at invitationals (2nd Place Captain Award was given to Wheaton's Phuong Thao Nguyen at Damascus Invitational on Jan 18th) the team award at the County Championships has been ellusive.  The competition promised to be tough with Gaithersburg, Walter Johnson and BCC returning to perform their routines which got them team finishes at the Damascus Invitational in that order.  Wheaton's scores had put them in 4th place among the six teams that had competed ahead of Springbrook and Kennedy.  Adding to the competition was a talented Montgomery Blair squad which had opted out of the previous invitational as well as Watkins Mill and Northwood High School's.  However, in a subjective competition nothing is guaranteed and a simple slip, trip or fall can change everything.  The big stage and increased competition didn't overwhelm the squad.  Wheaton's Pompon Coach Josie Kalema said of the event, "We didn't go to counties thinking that we were going to place because we did feel the pressure of the other schools. We wanted to go out on the court, have fun and do the best that we could do." 

Each of the nine teams performed and to the parents and fans in the stands their performances were exciting and flawless.  To the judges, their criteria of choreography and technique will determine the outcome.

The Captains awards were announced first with Springbrook taking 3rd place, followed by BCC for 2nd place and Walter Johnson received 1st place.  Team Awards were next.  All of the girls of each high school team sat in circles, hand in hand, biting lips, holding their breath, awaiting the judges verdict.  The master of ceremonies read, "For 3rd place, Wheaton!"  At that moment, years of frustration erupted like an uncorked, shaken, champagne bottle by the Poms and Wheaton friends and family alike.  Captain Nguyen ran out to accept the trophy and quickly ran into the arms of her teammates with tears swirling all-around. 

Ironically Wheaton's 2nd year POM Coach Josie Kalema was part of the last time the Knights placed at Counties.  Coach Kalema was a member of the 2005-2006 Wheaton Pom Squad which also won 3rd place at the County Championship and she received the 2nd place Captains award.  So for her this school milestone brings her full-circle after returning to coach at her alma mater.  Coach Kalema said afterwards, "Coming back to coach the team was never planned, but now that I am here I am determined to make my team better then years past." 

BCC won 2nd place team award, Montgomery Blair won the Spirit Award and Walter Johnson HS showed no let down from the Damascus Invitational as they again won the coveted 1st place award.