Cheerleading squad seeks new members
Graduation depletes squad
Bridget Sullivan, ’16, cheers on the Eagles during the first quarter of the Wahlert-Senior game at the Colbert-Delaney Gymnasium. Sullivan has been a part of the cheerleading team since the start of her freshman year.
In 2008, the Wahlert Golden Eagles had to endure a tough year without a cheerleading team at football, wrestling and basketball games. Mr. Jim Kuhl, who has taken scores and stats at the games, says that makes it tough because the teams are more likely to win when the crowd is positive and lively.
When our teams do not have a cheerleading squad, there is no one to positively rally up the crowd to drive our Golden Eagles to victory. This year, eight senior cheerleaders will be leaving the team to conquer bigger and better things. Their leaving this year’s cheerleading squad will leave next year’s team with a total of four cheerleaders.
Kerry Elliott, Walhert’s cheerleading coach, says, “If it comes down to a lack of cheerleaders, some sports may not have a squad. I plan to enroll the team in a summer cheer camp at Clarke University and have a private day camp with the University of Dubuque, and we can’t do that if we don’t have cheerleaders to attend them.
“Within the next couple of years, I plan to have the girls continue to try more difficult stunts, and hopefully within a few years, the team may be ready to participate in competitions. The goal is to keep moving forward and keep getting better, no matter what it comes down to,” said Elliott.
Elliott plans to hold cheerleading tryouts in late April or early May. “There are no requirements for the tryout: just have a positive attitude and be enthusiastic! Both men and women are encouraged to attend!” explains Elliott.
Whitney Vance, ‘14, said she wanted to be a cheerleader her freshman year because, “I’ve always wanted to be a cheerleader. So I grabbed a few of my friends and had them tryout with me! Being a cheerleader is the reason I am the person I am today.”
Martina McMahon, ‘14, notes one of the perks of being a cheerleader. “My favorite part about being a cheerleader is traveling to out of town wrestling meets! I love everything about wrestling from the duals to state meets. The parents, cheerleaders, coaches, and wrestlers are all a big family,” said McMahon.
