By Derrick Smith

Cheer teams are more than just cheering on the sidelines at football or basketball games. There are cheer competitions, camps, and a variety of other things. Kaitlyn Hurst’s cheer squad at Mount St. Mary High School had attended their share of events and that is what has helped them become a better team.

“This summer, our team attended National Cheerleaders Association Camp at Oklahoma State University,” she said. “We received the Herkie Award, which is presented to one team at camp who is best all around. We also received a bid to go to NCA Nationals. Our team was commended by camp staff for how respectful we are and our sportsmanship. Also, senior Rebekah Cleary, who is the student body president, received the Leadership Award at camp. 

Hurst is in her first season as the head coach of the Rockets cheer team, but she has served as an assistant coach for six years prior. She says that something she is teaching her team is how important it is to be a leader.

“Our biggest strength would be leadership,” Hurst said. “We are leaders on and off the field. We lead to succeed.”

Sophomore cheerleader Ainsley Greenhaw says that one of the things she enjoys most is helping spread school spirit.

“I love being able to get the school involved in the games,” she said. “It is also really great to be on a team with some of the best girls at the Mount.”

Along with cheering together, Hurst’s squad enjoys hanging out and growing as a team. 

“A few weeks ago our team went to the Oklahoma City Zoo for team bonding,” she said. “We spent the day together and went on a scavenger hunt around the zoo searching for our letters. ‘RPFFOT’ started ten years ago. It has since then been a tradition in our program. Each letter has a special meaning to our spirit program. Each year to kick off our season we do a team bonding activity to welcome all new members of our team.”

Mckenzie Ellis, who is also a sophomore member of the team, says that while she enjoys cheering, it is the other things she likes the most.

“I enjoy the friendships I have built,” she said. “I also like how our team is so close and we are always there for each other.”