Captains hit right notes for Baldwin’s championship competitive spirit team

By: Ray Fisher
Sunday, January 25, 2026 | 11:01 AM

The 2025-26 season has been historic for the Baldwin competitive spirit program.

For the first time in program history, Baldwin’s competitive spirit team won the PIAA championship in the 3A Large Varsity division Jan. 9-10 in Johnstown.

“Before the girls took the floor, I told them when they come through the curtain to the performance floor, they have the chance to change the perception of how our team does at the state level,” said Taryn Madden, Baldwin’s co-head coach with Dena Mihalsky. “And, wow, did they exceed our expectations. They (started) on Day 1 with a performance we were beyond proud of. We were so happy to know we advanced directly to the final round and saw we were in second place.

“We went into Day 2 continuing to focus on ourselves, our goals, remaining positive. … The routine was electric. Their energy and confidence on both days shined as our best states performances to date.”

The Highlanders have been led all season by a trio of captains, seniors Carly Dowhy and Keira Kozak and junior Cali Chraska.

“We have three team captains that are incredible role models,” Mihalsky said. “We have three teenagers who are willing to step up and face any task that is handed to them and encourage the rest of their team to do the same.

“Each of the captains brings her own strengths to the team and all three are able to bring everyone together in their own way.”

Mihalsky explained, starting with Chraska, one of five juniors on the squad.

“Cali is the most vocal and motivates the team from the beginning through the end of every practice,” Mihalsky said. “She always notices if any of her teammates are having an off day and is able to make them laugh when it’s needed. All of the girls on the team trust her motivation and encouragement and willingly follow her lead.”

Next up are the two upperclassmen, Dowhy and Kozak.

“Carly is competitive and hardworking,” Mihalsky said. “If there is a stunt or pyramid that she knows will eventually be achievable, she will push herself until she can learn it and then is one of the first people willing to help teach the skill to everyone else.

“She is able to successfully perform stunts with every person on our team and encourages them all to work as hard as she is. And she is one of the first people every offseason to reach out and ask for gym time to get in reps to prepare for the next season.”

Kozak is one of the most adaptable and undaunted athletes on the squad.

“Keira is resilient,” Mihalsky said. “She never shies away from a challenge, and she has never let a setback get to her. If her teammates encounter a setback, she reminds them that it is in the past and to move forward stronger than before.

“She is someone the whole team can count on to be there and to give 100% effort no matter the circumstance.”

Dowhy and Kozak, both 17, are joined by seniors Lily Rock, Vivien Skalos, Juliana Weiss and Addison Scurry on this year’s team.

“The team spent so much time during winter break after WPIALs practicing every day with the goal of being consistent going into states,” Dowhy said. “Over these practices, we consistently ran full out. Every time we hit our routine at practice or a competition, we put a nail in our ‘hit board.’ Over the winter break practices, we put in six nails on our board. This definitely boosted our confidence and had us feeling well-prepared going into states.

“After our states preliminary and finals performances, we were able to add two more hits to the board, giving us a total of 13 this season. I am so proud of this team and all of the hard work we’ve put in. We can’t wait to finish this season off strong at nationals.”

Dowhy has been a cheerleader since middle school and plans to attend a four-year college and “definitely” continue in the sport.

For Kozak, winning the PIAA championship was a “dream come true.”

“The team went into states weekend with the goal of making it to finals with two great routines,” Kozak said. “We would have never believed that we were going win states. The first day, we went into states feeling great. We all had good vibes and had great warmups. We knew what we had to do to make it to finals and we did it.

“We did not know that it would lead to us going straight to finals and with the outcome of winning states. It was the most surreal experience going to the mat for finals awards and hearing our name called for first place. We knew we finally did what we always dreamed of. At that moment, we knew all the hard work through the years, and this season, paid off. I am so proud of the team and what we have accomplished.”

Kozak has been a cheerleader for 12 years. She started cheering in second grade for the Baldwin youth program.

She plans to earn a master’s degree in college. She also hopes to continue her cheering career at the next level.

There are 26 girls on the 2025-26 competitive spirit cheer squad at Baldwin, and the Highlanders’ two veteran coaches were joined by assistant Nick Price a few years ago.

“I want to start off by saying that, as one of the captains, I am so privileged to lead all of my talented teammates and so grateful for our amazing coaches,” Chraska said. “All 26 of these girls have played such an important role in shaping our program for future generations. Everyone knows what we needed to do to achieve greatness, and that’s exactly what we did at the PIAA championships.

“Throughout the summer, we practiced a couple of times a week and worked hard by running miles each week, perfecting the basics and learning the choreography for our new routines. Although we were so focused on perfecting our routines, we never quite realized how quickly we all became so close. Some may say that it was all of our grit that led us here, and while that was certainly part of it, I believe it was our strong bond that truly made the most difference.”

Chraska, 16, participates in the National Art Honor Society, American Sign Language Club and Psychology Club, of which she serves on the executive board. She said capturing the PIAA title was a surreal experience.

“Heading into the competition, we never would have expected the outcome,” she said. “We were all so focused on hitting our routine and having fun that first place felt like nothing more than a dream. When we sat down at awards and they called Baldwin for first place, that moment felt absolutely surreal. We all jumped with joy and hugged each other, completely overwhelmed with happiness.

“That feeling of accomplishment is something that I, along with everyone else on the team, will cherish forever. We will always reflect on this moment, not just because we won but because we achieved it together — not only as teammates but as best friends who all share the same love for cheerleading. We will continue to push for success at the 2026 UCA National High School Cheerleading Championship.”

Chraska has been a cheerleader since second grade.

“I began cheering at Brentwood High School, then transferred to Baldwin where I have cheered since fifth grade. I have also participated in all-star cheer (competitions) at Fire and Ice gym, where I’ve gained many great experiences.”

Tags: Baldwin