Tag: Cheerleading

Cheerleaders earn honors at ‘Fear the Cheer’ competition

by Reese Dobson

Cheerleading is a lot more difficult than it may appear at a regular football or basketball game.

“The hardest part about cheer is probably cheering throughout all the difficulties, like weather conditions, losing, and people being absent,” said sophomore cheerleader Aaliyah Flowers. 

Cheer is an all-year-long season. “I don’t think anybody realizes how much we practice. We only get one month off throughout the year, and we practice from April to competing at nationals in February,” senior Kyndal McCartin said.

McCartin said the cheer team practices on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday. On weekends, cheerleaders compete in competitions and cheer at sports games.

“Going to nationals with my team and competing the routine we have worked so hard on makes it all worth it,” senior Kenzie Keller stated.

UCA cheer nationals is a cheerleading competition in Orlando, Florida, where teams all over the country come and compete for state titles. Teams have to receive a bid to compete in the competition, Keller explained.

However, cheerleading isn’t always about competitiveness. A big part of cheerleading is team bonding and trust, which cheerleaders need to have for each other. 

“I have always enjoyed watching others cheer, and I wanted to give it a try. I enjoy the sportsmanship and friendship on the Jeff team, and it keeps me going,” said freshman Kiela Smith.

Coming to practice with a good attitude is important to get through a hard practice, Flowers explained.

Cheer is sometimes debated as to whether it’s a sport or not. “I think cheer is definitely a sport because we practice, train, and perform. We have a minimum of four practices a week, and we have competitions against other teams,” said freshman Eliza Davis.

JHS cheerleaders took on the “Fear the Cheer” cheerleading competition at New Albany High School on Saturday, Sept. 21 They came out with first place in the timeout division, first place in the gameday division, and overall timeout grand champs. Photo by Alicia Flowers.

The Jeff High cheerleaders attended one of these competitions at New Albany High School last Saturday, Sept. 21. They came out in first place for the timeout routine and first place for the game day routine. The awards ended with the title “Grand Champs” for the overall timeout category. 

“I’m glad we won because we practiced hard, and I’m glad all the work paid off,” Keller said.  

by jhshyphen

Cheerleaders secure their bid to Nationals in Orlando

by Madison Pritchard

Jeff High Cheer has done it again. This marks the fourth year in a row that the team has gotten a bid to make their way to Nationals. They competed at the UCA Hoosier Hills Regional competition on Nov. 17 and received their bid to attend.

“I feel grateful and fortunate that we have been able to make it to Nationals for four years straight. I’m proud of my teammates for working hard the past six months. And I’m excited to make some more memories in Orlando,” stated senior cheerleader Violet Fondrisi, who competed at the regional. 

The work doesn’t stop there, though. The cheerleading team still has a long season ahead of them. 

“I take it one day at a time, and I think about how our hardest practices will only make us better,” Fondrisi said about their intense preparation. 

The moment they received their bid was bittersweet, especially for the seniors on the team. 

When asked about her goals for the season and Nationals, Fondrisi stated that she hopes the seniors are able to “enjoy one of (their) last experiences being a Jeff High cheerleader.”

Jeff High Cheer is hopeful for their season, and they plan to win big once they hit the mat in Orlando.

by jhshyphen