Cheer:
This season, the OHS cheer team has had many ups and downs, but the girls are doing their best to push through and perform. Players are staying positive, and are remarkably there for each other when support is needed.
“We’re just not dwelling on it. Stuff happens, but we get over it and figure out new ways to be better,” said Kate Mosby, JV captain, sophomore.
Continuing to better themselves is a big focus throughout all levels of cheer. Many girls target the mental aspect of their competition alongside the physical aspects.
“I try to focus mentally to be in a good spot. I try to just look on the positive side of things and just keep myself in a good headspace so it doesn’t affect me or my teammates,” Mosby said.
Being on a team that does not have many girls, such as the Varsity cheer team, can occasionally prove to have its challenges. However, the girls at OHS have no problem overcoming anything thrown their way.
“I’d say we get along pretty well. Our team isn’t too big (there’s like 17 girls), and you can talk to anyone on the team. Before a comp, we’ll pray for each other and get in our groups and hug each other. On the mat we will be hugging and encouraging each other. … Everyone is just trying to help each other and make our team good,” said Sage Mitchell, senior.
Along with encouraging each other, it is important to the girls that they remain in good spirits. Negative energy within one person can very quickly drag down the entire team.
“One of the hardest parts of cheering is being consistent: your energy, how bad you want it, and just constantly having to remind yourself, ‘We’re a team- we want to win, we want to do good.’ just keeping that energy up,” Mitchell said
If there’s one thing that the cheerleaders are good at (other than cheering!), it is believing in each other.
“It’s a good environment to be in- it’s fun and we’re always trying to bring each other up and make each other more confident in what we do,” Mosby said.
Other cheerleaders agree that this group of girls is more than just a surface level team, with all members going above and beyond to support each other.
“We’re all just so fun and the energy is good. We’ll all play songs before [competitions], and we will get each other bracelets. It’s such a good program to be involved in,” Mitchell said.
Compared to previous seasons, this year’s team has bonded wonderfully with each other, and everyone feels included.
“I definitely think that it’s been one of the best teams that we’ve had. My freshman year, the seniors weren’t connected with us at all, but I feel like all the seniors this year really tried to connect with all the underclassmen and I think that’s really impacted us all. It doesn’t just impact the sophomores, it impacts us too. I feel like they’ve helped me as much as I’ve helped them,” says Mitchell.
Pom:
Another year has gone by with OHS pom working hard and creating breathtaking routines in an effort to win it all at nationals. This year they have already seen lots of success, and are currently preparing themselves for the big competition ahead.
Many girls have created personal routines to mentally ready themselves for what is to come. These types of efforts start at practices, which are some of the most important times for the girls to get themselves in check.
“I wake up at 3am, I do my morning routine, I do my bible study, and I get myself ready. I have to make sure that I have a good, positive attitude going in because as a captain, I don’t want to go in there tired and unmotivated. Looking forward to each day and being in the moment are important,” saidKaylee Candrea, pom captain, senior.
This type of attitude comes down to a more personal level, and begins with what individuals are doing to try and improve themselves throughout the course of the season.
“One of my goals has been overall growth: to lead positively, and to not bring up negative thoughts around the girls. I think setting a high bar for myself makes it easier for me to stop trying to look at the outcome, and just enjoy the process instead,” Candrea said.
This level of maturity affects the rest of the team greatly, and sets an example for success. It also influences girls considering joining the team, and can be very helpful when motivating them to become a part of the program.
“My sister was on pom last year, and watching the team and how they interact with each other just seemed so fun,” said Brooklynn Regnier, freshman.
These types of interactions build bonds that translate outside of just the sport. Many players agree that the OHS team feels extremely unified.
“It’s like a family, for sure. I think anyone on our team can testify to that. I think all of us girls, especially on pom, are really close. Since we have a smaller team it’s been nice to bond, and we do everything together. After every game or competition we go out and get food, or go back to one of our houses. It’s just one big family,” Candrea said.
While constantly being with each other may seem like it would cause issues, the girls are quick to find ways around it.
“We’re together a lot so there’s little things, but in the long run we all just love each other and we all support each other,” Regnier said.
