TCHS cheer makes changes to keep athletes safe
By Lindsey Parker
The coronavirus has majorly impacted people in all sorts of ways. In some ways, it has impacted the cheerleaders at Timber Creek. Due to the new rules and regulations, the program has had to adjust to these changes in order to maintain a safe season. If these changes were not made, the cheer season could have been canceled. With these new safety procedures, the athletes are able to safely continue with the season. Unfortunately these changes restrict the athletes from being able to participate in things they normally would, however they can practice and cheer together, which is what’s important.
According to some Timber Creek cheerleaders, they explained how this season is different in comparison to last year’s season due to corona and its effects. Sophomore Emma Stone cheers on varsity and stated, “this year camp was canceled which was very fun and brought the team together. There’s also a lot more precautions as well as restrictions on things we still haven’t been approved to do.” Due to the new precautions and restrictions that are in place this year, it closes opportunities to do certain things. The virus and its effects have impacted many cheerleaders. Another cheerleader is Sophomore Isabella Blanc. She cheers on Junior Varsity and stated, “Cheer has changed in a few ways, only varsity is doing sideline cheer, masks are mandatory, and the season started a lot later.”
Outside of the cheer season, cheerleaders practice on their own whether it’s on a competitive all star team, going to private tumbling or stunting lessons, or anything along those lines. Cheerleaders tend to practice more around tryouts to be able to achieve new skills and become an overall better athlete. However, due to the Corona Virus there was a period of time where all cheer gyms were closed, which made it difficult for cheerleaders to practice. According to Stone, Covid has personally affected her in regards to cheer. She stated, “My allstar season last year was cancelled after like the third competition and covid is a main reason I didn’t try out again this year.” Blanc was also personally affected due to the virus. She said, “It affected me and a lot of others because the cheer gyms were closed so it was harder to work on tumbling.” The Corona Virus has clearly majorly impacted cheerleading due to these causes.
There are many differences this season compared to the last. These differences are to keep the program safe and able to still cheer. Some differences include the way practices are run as well as procedures that are done. Stone pointed out a few changes that were made. “ A difference from last season is that we have to wear masks during practice which is kind of annoying,” Stone said. Masks are required in order for the cheer program to continue this season. They are not required while doing strenuous activity such as tumbling. However, they are needed to be worn otherwise. Stone also mentioned that games are different. She said, “So far we haven’t been approved to do away games and we’re probably going to have to stay more apart than we used to.” Blanc states the games are different, “because only varsity is cheering at games because only the varsity football team is playing right now. I am not cheering on the sideline.” These new changes are very different, however the program will overcome them and continue to stay safe and healthy through these times.
