By Derrick Smith

As with a team sport, the most successful cheer teams all have one thing in common. Team chemistry. The Edmond Santa Fe cheer team makes that an important part of their year and second-year head coach, Jennifer Ortiz, says that is what helps her team to click.

“We had many team bonding activities over the summer and more planned throughout the school year,” Ortiz said. “From pool parties, paint classes, DIY projects, and dinners, it’s a great way for the team to get to know each other outside of school and cheer.”

The squad also attended the University of Oklahoma cheer camp over the summer. They won the National Cheerleaders Association Herky Team Award and Top Chant. Brice Harvey and Presley Stevenson, two of the team’s varsity cheerleaders, also made All- American.

While all teams, no matter the sport, have their ups and downs, Ortiz can always rely on the strengths of her team to help them work through anything that comes their way.

“Our biggest strength as a cheer team is our ability to overcome adversity while maintaining a positive attitude,” she said. “Last year, we were quarantined three different times, so six weeks in one semester. Along with missing football games, we missed weeks of practices to prepare for the state competition. Our team stayed positive, worked extremely hard, and still finished 4th in the state. That positive attitude has carried the team into this year. As we are looking forward to football games, assemblies, and some ‘normalcy’, we know that together as a team we will get through whatever comes our way with smiles on our faces.”

Cheer is important to her squad, but coach Ortiz knows that it is not the only thing in her team’s lives. She says that her team is full of all-around great kids and great representatives of their school.

“Most of the girls on my squad are also involved in other school activities and have jobs,” she said. “I have student council members and officers, multi-sport athletes, club officers and the majority work part-time jobs. I am so proud of all the hard work they put in and still represent Santa Fe with class and integrity.”