COFFEYVILLE — Iola High’s cheer squad isn’t about to let losing a large graduating class spoil what has become a finely tuned program’s success.
With 11 new faces on the 16-member squad, the cheer team attended the Universal Cheer Association’s summer camp in Coffeyville earlier this month.
Among the team’s highlights:
— The squad earned the Famous Banana and Spirit Stick the first night of the camp, while earning spirit sticks each night the camp was in session. Both are awarded based on team performance and enthusiasm.
— IHS cheerleaders Mackenzie Weseloh, team captain, and Olivia Bannister earned special “PIN IT Forward” awards offered up by UCA staff members.
— In final day competitions, Iola earned first in Extreme Routine, first overall in game day competition, Superior Team status, and a Red Shirt award going to the team that showed the most respect and responsibility throughout the week.
— Four members, Weseloh, Trilby Bannister, Isaiah Macias and Quinton Morrison, were named All-American cheerleaders. Weseloh was invited to try out for UCA staff next spring.
“This year was very different,” Coach Penny Herder explained. “We had eight graduate in may, so losing that many seniors, I wasn’t sure how this team was going to be.”
Herder lauded the work of Weseloh, who helped the team pull together.
“They all worked very well together, and most of all, represented the Iola school and community with complete class. I am always very proud, year after year, taking a team to camp, and I always come home with such a proud heart.”
The cheer team paid for its camp participation by organizing a number of fundraisers.
“We would like to thank the entire community and businesses that helped us,” Herder said. “It was so greatly appreciated.”
The 2013-14 IHS cheer squad has 14 girls and two boys.
Cheer squad lauded
