Right before winter break, a spike in the number of COVID cases at the school forced the winter cheer team to revert back to the restrictions that were in place last winter season. 

The team was able to cheer alongside the boys’ basketball team in front of the student spectators only a couple of times before positive test results rampantly flooded the school and community population. However, the team was not necessarily unhappy that the student section was restricted.

 “I liked it better without fans,” sophomore captain Olivia Mullen said. “Honestly, they have been very judgemental this season, but because we only do Friday home games, we haven’t had student spectators in a while.”  

Though the student section has not been as supportive of the team as they had hoped, the chemistry within the team has been strong. 

“Everyone is so supportive of each other,” sophomore captain Maggie Gorman said. “Even if you can’t do something, no one brings you down about it.”

The team consists mostly of underclassmen; this year, two sophomores were chosen as captains to lead the team. 

“The team chemistry has been really good,” Mullen said. There’s one senior, two juniors, seven sophomores and two freshmen, and everyone gets along well.”

Many of the girls had already developed friendships from the cheer season in the fall, so they were supportive and excited that two sophomores were guiding the team, even though that doesn’t often happen. 

“My good friends are captains, which definitely makes it a lot more fun,” sophomore Holly Cavanna said. 

Along with cheering at the basketball games, the team also participates in competitions. 

“We haven’t had any competitions yet, but we’re going to have two over February break,” Mullen said. “We had some last season, and we are assuming to have two or three competitions based on how our team has been this season.”

The team did well at both competitions over February break. They placed third at Leagues, where Gorman and Cavanna received the Athletic All-Star awards, and junior Isabella Mulkey received the Academic All-Star award. 

Despite the different challenges the team has faced, they were able to make the most of the season and the time they spent with each other. 

“Everyone has been able to really connect this season,” Mullen said. “No one has been standing alone.”