Timber Creek Cheerleading Team
By Jordyn Baskin
The Timber Creek Cheer program has been around since 2001 when the school was opened. Throughout those years there have been several athletes and coaches who have played a role in the program and contributed to the success of the program. Though many think cheer is just a few chants and dances, there is much more to the sport than some may think. “I wish people realized that we we’re not just sideline cheerleaders and we do a lot for the school.” stated sophomore Leah Mcloyd.
Cheer has a bad stigma among some people. Many assume that the cheerleaders don’t do much. But the cheer program begs to differ. There are various tasks performed while cheering. The girls stunt, tumble, jump, dance, and cheer. Stunting requires lifting one another in the air and performing various tricks and body positions, while tumbling requires flipping and training your body into certain positions. All of these actions require lots of practice and the use of technique and skill. The cheerleaders work very hard to entertain and engage at all the school events and games. The cheerleaders feel that while they support all the other teams and programs they are not matched with the same support and are often overlooked. “I wish people understood that we want to be supported too during our events and competitions,” exclaimed sophomore Kennedy Lewin.
Unlike other sports, cheer occupies both the fall and winter seasons making it a hefty commitment. The cheer tryouts take place in May for football season. Another tryout is held for the competitive cheer season in October. If an athlete makes both teams, their commitment spans from July to February. Many students are unaware that the cheerleaders do have a competitive season. The dynamics and goals of the two seasons are entirely different. For football season the cheerleaders’ priorities are to attend games and pep rallies to contribute to school spirit and support the football team. Whereas during competitive season the team is more self-focused and has a goal of winning as many competitions as well as winning states. Timber Creek has taken the state title 4 times and won their last title in 2013. this year in particular it is a goal of the teams. “I hope we win states this year it would be so exciting and rewarding,” said freshman Audra Hinkley.
The cheerleaders have two more competitions to finish off the year. Regionals which is January 27th and States which is February 2nd. If the team does good at both competitions they have a high potential of taking a state title. This would be very exciting for both the team and Timber Creek as a school because no sport has won a state title since 2017. Winning states would be the perfect way for the girls to end this eventful season and kickstart the upcoming fall season. Good luck girls and GO Creek!!
WOW! Sophomore Leah Mcloyd is on the right-hand side in the air. This picture was captured during regionals last year in 2023. They placed 3rd in that competition. “This competition was one of our best performances of last year,” said Mcloyd. Photo donated.