The cheer season started during late October with practices, and has just come to an end in mid-February. The cheer squad started cheering at their home games in November. This year the cheer team had thirteen members, while last year the squad contained eight cheerleaders. The senior cheerleaders were Grace Soete, Lexi Oetterer, Diana Ribera, Mikayla Maloney, Elsie McNabb, Miranda Durbin, Megan Boehmer, Cecelia Malone, and Audrey Ford. Bernabe Ribera was the only junior. Ava Vandegriffe, Miranda Yarbrough, and Ryan Stutzman were the freshmen cheerleaders. The head coach of the cheer squad of four years was Mischki Soete.
This year the cheer squad accomplished many goals. For example, the team conquered new floor cheers and building stunts they have been working on for months. The squad was always proud of each other when they accomplished something new. When the cheer team went on the basketball court for a floor cheer, the student section would yell to encourage them on.
Here is what some cheerleaders had to say about their favorite building stunts.
“I definitely loved doing the basket toss because this year we did something different then we have before. We had me do a toe touch while I was thrown up in the air. It was so cool!” stated senior Diana Ribera.
Senior Lexi Oetterer mentioned, “My favorite build was either the armbar or the basket toss. I liked the armbar because it was very different than any of our other builds because Grace does a handstand into Miranda’s and my arms before we put her up in the air. I liked the basket toss because, [though] I am usually a base, I was able to be the backspot for the cheer because, after Miranda, Bernabe, and I were messing around said cheer, Mischki really liked how we did it and I was then put as backspot.”
Some cheerleaders discussed their thoughts on the cheer season ending.
Senior Grace Soete shared, “It is bittersweet knowing that cheer was the last sport I would participate in during high school, but I have tried to teach the underclassmen as much as I could because a lot of seniors are leaving. I know they will do great things and continue to build on what they've learned.”
“It's rough. I've had a lot of good memories with the girls and Bernabe on the team, and it's so hard to leave the younger members. We've grown so close,” said senior Miranda Durbin.
As you can see, the cheerleaders made many memories this season and accomplished many things. The squad has gotten close and made new friendships. The seniors had a great last season and they will miss it dearly. Good luck to the upcoming cheer squad!