Cheer team jumps into a strong year

By Valerie Ruiz and Amiyah Rice

Lead Reporter/Entertainment Editor *This is a two-part story* Part One: "Upcoming Competitions" By Valerie Ruiz

This year’s cheer team started off strong as they prepared for their first competition against Sandburg on Dec. 3.

The team has a lot of potential and power this season. The cheerleaders plan to stay focused and work hard this season. They have been preparing by practicing every day and consistently attending practices Monday through Thursday.

“I feel like we have a lot of power this season, a lot of potential. We’re gonna work hard and bring that trophy home,” said Sophomore Nakyra Hollins.

A couple of other things they’ve been doing to prepare are conditioning, getting extra practice, and just putting in all the work to get on the floor and give their best routine. The team has been making sure they’re trying their hardest to make the crowd proud.

The schedule for this season is Dec. 3 against Sandburg, Dec. 10 against Marian Catholic, Dec. 16 against Andrew, Dec. 17 against Wilmngton, Jan. 13 against Lockport, and Jan. 14 against Oak Forest.

“So far, I think the season is going good. I’m confident that my team will do well at our first competition. We’ve been working hard and putting in the time that is needed. I think if we keep putting the work in and stay motivated, then we can do good the whole season,” said freshman Taejah Mcghee.

Some of our students had mixed reviews about whether or not the team will bring the trophy home or not. Some say it’s a good thing that new girls made the team, while others think it could be bad because we haven’t seen them perform ever. Regardless of the new girls, we have some who have been on the team for years, and they say they are very confident in our new players and themselves.

“I think the team might win this year because they have many new people on the team and also some people we know are talented. I think they will take it home this year”, said junior Wendi Hernandez.

All the Warrior cheerleaders and students are excited to see how this season will play out, considering all the factors. Part Two: "Players' Thoughts on the Season" By Amiyah Rice

Crete-Monee cheerleaders are preparing for competition season to be “promising” and “exciting”.

The cheerleaders are training and working hard for the upcoming season.

The cheer coach, Mrs. Giliani, said she thinks the upcoming season is promising and the girls are putting in a lot of work, and have a lot of new talent this year. She’s hoping it will be a great year.

Her favorite thing about being a cheer coach is teaching the sport she loves, which she’s been doing for 20 years.

She said the most challenging thing about cheerleading is “stunting is the hardest it requires a lot.”

Sophomore Nakerra Hollins is a back spot on the cheer team and has been on the team since freshman year.

She feels “pretty good” about the upcoming season.

She said they have “way better stunts this year.” Nakerra said the hardest thing about cheer “is not getting hurt.”

She also said they had third place last year, so they will hopefully get second or first place this year.

Sophomore Carli Sawallisch is a base and tumbler on the cheer team and is excited about the cheer season.

She said her favorite thing about being on the cheer team is “the team bonding also the exercise.” The hardest thing to do is “conditioning.”

Junior Iyana Rhodes is a flyer on the team and has been doing cheer since she was two years old. She is excited but nervous about the competition season. She thinks they will win.

“It depends on our work. If we put in the work, we’ll probably get higher than last year.”

She said training is going “okay,” but they have a lot of work to do. Her favorite thing about cheer is stunting because she loves doing it.

The hardest thing about cheer is “trying to be a team.” Cheer is important to her because it teaches you “to become a family and just be united as one.”

She said if you want to join cheer here at Crete-Monee, join because it’s fun.

Sophomore Nakyra Hollins is a side base and a tumbler on the cheer team and feels good about this season because of the talent this year.

She said, “I really feel like we finna get like at least 2nd place because last year we got 3rd.” But training is going well so far.

Her favorite thing about cheer is “tumbling and team bonding because like we need it. We need to become sisters.”

Sophomore Liyannah Anthony is a base, back, and flyer on the cheer team and has been cheering since 4th grade.

Her favorite thing about cheer is “tumbling and performing at games.”

She said cheer is important “because I’m real competitive,” and if she is having a bad day, she can take her anger out on the routines to make it better.

She said you should join the cheer team because “the girls on the team are funny. If you ask me, the coach is really cool.”

All the girls are excited about the competition season and hope to win.