Date 1/9/2025
Issue no. 2. Page 2
WHS Cheerleaders Ready to Exceed Expectations By Trey Bell, Warrior News
How long have you been coaching cheerleading? What are some of your accomplishments? This is my third-year coaching, my first year coaching at Woodlawn. I have gone to states four times, placing sec- ond and third. I helped Pikesville High School place first in the county at com - petition. As for Woodlawn, this past fall season, they placed fifth in the county, scoring the highest program score in years for Woodlawn High’s cheer program. As a first-year coach at WHS, what is your vision for the WHS cheerlead- ing squad? I think my vision is mostly work ethic and unity. I want to create a team that is proud of what they put out, whether they win or not. I want them to gain skills that they will carry through their whole lives.
and mentally. Practice also isn’t what people may think it is; cheer requires muscle memory and control of the body. It takes the same amount of dedication and fortitude as any other sport. During the fall season, the cheerlead- ers presented a strong and surprising performance? What can be expected for competition this winter? I think improvement. We set the bar high for ourselves during fall season, and I think that causes pressure. But I think we can rise to it and exceed all expectations. How can the WHS community sup- port the cheer program? Taking a step back, realizing that we are a new program and a new group of people. This is a new team, with its own learning curves and its own chang- es with each season.
would I be comfortable with at their age? What would I want to do in their position? I think by putting myself in the shoes of the athletes, they under- stand that everything asked of them is doable. That I wouldn’t ask anything of them that they could not do. I lead as a leader with reason and understanding and grace. Is there anything else that you’d like the community here at WHS to know? For us, winter season is just getting started. I personally am looking for - ward to the growth. We’re about a month out from competition and I look forward to seeing the team evolve and grow. I am very proud of the work we put in and excited to see it progress even more! Woodlawn High School Cheerlead- ers. Photo Credit: Ms. Grace.
To me sports are more than just ath- letic ability, it’s so- cial and life skills. Things that will stay with them forever.
So, giving grace and understanding is a huge support. Also, coming to competi- tions and coming to games to see us is a huge way to show support as well. As a coach, what is your philosophy to keep your athletes motivated?
What is something you wish people knew about cheer - leading as a sport? That it’s more than just wearing a uni- form and being cute. We lift people in the air, which takes strength, physically
Ms. Grace, WHS Cheerleading Coach
I think my philosophy is to lead by example. I think of myself as an athlete. What
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