Emily Schutz was busy this spring with the tryouts for the 2024-25 cheer team. With the results now in, we have the privilege of a peek at who’ll be supporting the school and raising the spirit this next year.
On next year’s cheer team we’ll be seeing many new faces, even some upcoming freshmen. With only four returning members, Schutz took the opportunity to alter the teams and their responsibilities.
“JV will cheer at JV games, and they will cheer at football, basketball, wrestling, and volleyball. And then Varsity will cheer at the Varsity games. It’s similar but it’s not exactly the same,” said Schutz.
The new team’s energy and potential were evident at their performance during the Lilac Parade and the team was excited to show what they had been working on. These past few months they had been practicing for 2-3 nights a week.
Joss Irvine, new member of the squad, said, “The best part so far has been working on stunts and getting to know the team.”
Working on stunts and growing their skillset with new talent has been influenced by the sudden increase of cheer boys. Schutz is excited about the element that they are bringing so far and for next year.
“It’s a lot more fun than I thought it’d be… I didn’t know that it would be all about the technique not strength,” said Devin Regal, one of the new men in cheer.
The returning members are feeling hyped to return to cheerleading for another season and to continue their journey after this last year and their accomplishments. They’re looking forward to another year of games, events, and cons.
Bodie Grangroth, a returning member, said, “I have done cheer for two years, and I am entering my third year which is the most years you can. The skills we learn in stunting and for me tumbling is something that is challenging me and pushes me to do harder things each year; I always feel better after a cheer practice, our coaches are phenomenal and do a great job at instructing us and give us good direction. I love being around like-minded people who can just make your day better.”
The 2024-25 cheer team is showing a lot of potential and promise of becoming a solid team. At the end of the day cheer is much more than stunts and spirit, it’s about growing and cultivating as a person, a team member, and a cheerleader.
