A cheer team is an important part of any football or basketball game. Along with keeping the crowd involved and cheering on their team, they are also able to show off their skills and talent. It takes a lot of work in order to be a successful cheerleader and Laverne High School cheer coach Barbara Hunter says that her squad has worked hard and brings a lot to the table.
“Our team is very talented,” Hunter stated. “We have twelve cheerleaders, several of them have taken dance and/or gymnastics for most of their childhood as well as competing in All-Star cheer. These girls work really well under pressure and perform the best when there is a big crowd. Their favorite part of cheer is stunting and always like to try new stunts.”
Coach Hunter, who is a 2010 graduate of Laverne High School, is in her second year leading the Tiger’s cheerleading program.
Her squad does more than just cheer on the sidelines of games. They attend camps and other outings together, which helps build team chemistry.
“Our high school team won best performance at J&C Camp this summer,” Hunter said. “We also have four girls selected as All Star cheerleaders through J&C Camps to go represent us in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. Also, we recently traveled to Stillwater to perform at halftime of an Oklahoma State football game, an opportunity provided by Varsity Cheer. This was a really neat opportunity for these girls, they went to watch the OSU cheerleaders warm up before the game and they got to practice on the same field as the cheerleaders.”
Team captain Riley Nichols is proud to cheer on the Tigers and she enjoys cheering alongside her teammates.
“My favorite thing about cheering for my school is how supportive everyone truly is,” Riley said. “We have a school and community filled with pride, and it’s amazing to get to witness and be a part of it. I couldn’t ask for a better team. These girls are my best friends and we have so much fun. There is never a dull moment when we’re together.”
Joining Nichols on the squad is fellow senior Kaitlyn Thex, juniors Kensli Shaffer, Taylor Lewis, Galia Guajardo, and Jaycee Estep. Sophomores on the team are Rhylie O’Hair, Tinsley Green, Luisa Alvarez, Mady Miller, and Reagan Stewart. And rounding out the team is freshman Chrysli Perez.
