WHEATLAND – Last week the Wheatland High School (WHS) Cheerleaders and Dance Team competed at the State Spirit Competition in Casper sponsored by the Wyoming High School Activities Association. On Monday, they held a Spirit Showcase for the community.
The WHS Cheerleaders competed with two different routines. They placed ninth in 3A Cheer Non-Stunt and fifth in 4A Coed Cheer. There isn’t a Coed Cheer category for 3A schools so they had to compete against much bigger schools. Coaches from other schools congratulated the team and told them how much they loved their energy and routines.
When WHS graduate, Catherine Evans, took over coaching the Cheerleaders this year, there were seven students. She took 26 to State including five boys, a first in WHS Cheer history. Evans was a cheerleader during her high school years and upon graduating, auditioned and made it into the University of Wyoming Cheer Squad. She feels that the defining factor in the influx of participants was her experience at the college cheer level, and that they knew who she was.
“The attitude we have here is that there is a place for everyone, there is no such thing as the perfect cheerleader,” explained Coach Evans. “It doesn’t matter who you are, you can come and cheer with us.”
Senior and four year Cheer Squad member, Holly Johnson, had this to say about the past year, “I like that more people are involved, I’m enjoying it way more. I’ve gained leadership skills and how to stay calm under pressure.”
And the pressure was on for these athletes. One of the cheerleaders suffered an injury that required the squad to redo their routines mere days before the competition. A good number of parents and friends came to the Monday Showcase and several students carpooled up to Casper to help cheer them on, which is important as audience engagement is a factor in judging. Thanks to their peer supporters – they won highest crowd participation for both routines.
For anyone who is interested in joining the team next year they can email wheatlandbulldogcheer@gmail.com. Evans hopes to do some recruitment activities before summer break at the middle school and high school. The first summer camp is slated for June.
