The cheer team started their year attending the cheer camp in July at Coffeyville Community College. They spent the few days working on skills, learning routines, and bonding as a team.
“Going to cheer camp and learning all the different cheers and dances and being able to bond with the team throughout that whole week was my favorite experience,” senior Faith Rivera said.
The cheer team welcomed a new coach for the year: former teacher Darcy Jaeger. Members had positive things to say about her.
“Having a new coach was definitely an adjustment,” senior Audrey Warren said. “I think she cared more about us personally as people rather than just the sport itself.”
After performing many routines, some members developed favorites.
“[My favorite cheer is] ‘Come on Cardinals, beat the Owls,’” senior Lacey Kelly said. “It has a lot of movement, and it is different from all the other ones.”
All but one of the members this year were seniors.
“It’s definitely starting to hit me as basketball season ends,” Warren said. “I’m excited to see how next year will be with a whole new team.”
The dance team had a smaller amount of members compared to previous years. The team had five returning members and two freshmen.
“[I decided to join dance because] a lot of people persuaded me to,” freshman Jade Erker said. “I’ve always thought about doing it, and when I was little I enjoyed watching the dancers at halftime.”
The team had a new coach this year: Rachel Erker.
“I like that she always makes sure we are comfortable and she always asks our opinions on everything,” sophomore Adysen Conkle said. “She also wants to make sure we are close as a team.”
Members got creative freedom to choreograph routines. Senior Brooke Beck choreographed a pom routine that was performed at basketball homecoming.
“I liked [the dance] ‘Boot Scootin’ Boogie,’” Conkle said. “I liked the country dance because it is a different style than we normally do.”
The team decided to bring back the Valentine’s dance tradition. Members asked a boy to dance with them at halftime.
“Doing the guy/girl dance has been my favorite memory,” senior Bailey Kennard said. “It was a fun dance and I got to dance with my cousin for my final year.”
