JUNCTION, Utah — Cheerleading is one of the busiest sports out there. At least for Piute’s cheer team, you’ve got a sideline team who cheers at every sport event, and a competitive team that goes up against other schools to claim the state trophy. Girls who do both have a jam packed schedule with camps, clinics, games, competitions and more. While being a cheerleader is hard work, it is a very rewarding and an exciting sport to participate in.
The 2023-2024 Team
Piute’s cheer team for the 2023-2024 season has nine girls and three boys. There are six girls who have come back as veterans. Coaches Carol Springer and Priscilla Morgan are also returning and are excited for the new year.
Assistant Coach Priscilla Morgan says, “We are thrilled with the return of our veteran cheerleaders and the addition of several new members, including a few good men who will be joining us! This upcoming year will be exciting as we continue to build the new competitive cheer program and pave the way for future squad members!”
The team is bubbling to jump back into the groove of cheer and start learning new skills. Head Captain Makayla Miramontes says, “I’m very excited for what next year has to hold. With the addition of 3 boys participating with us, all the girls are fired up because we can do more stunting and skilled stunts. To prepare for the new season, we will be attending a safety clinic in June and then another summer camp that will involve stunting, dancing and tumbling.”
Co-Captain Kinley Shakespear comments, “Our team this year is the biggest that I’ve seen since I’ve been involved in cheer, which means that we will be capable of doing lots more than we normally are. I can’t wait to see how far we can go as a team! Overall, I’m excited to start building our cheer family.”
Cheer Season Brings the New Element of Competition
High school cheerleaders do many things that go unnoticed. Along with competing and cheering at games, cheerleaders make signs, decorate buses, do pep assemblies, locker signs, and much more. With the new element of competing it adds another level to cheer.
Shakespear states, “Last year was our first year with new coaches and competing. I am excited to see how much we can grow this year knowing a little better how things work through our experience from last year!”
Piute’s cheer team is stoked for their new adventure and second year competing. They hope to continue to grow their skills and have a fun season together. Piute Cheer is proud to show how far they have come in the cheer world and hope to make some more milestones along their journey this next season.
– by Ari Hurdsman (18) Junction
Feature image caption: Piute’s cheer team does a power pose in front of the high school. Courtesy Priscilla Morgan.
Ari Hurdsman – Junction
Ari Hurdsman is a junior journalist at the Byway. She just recently moved to Ephraim, Utah, where she is a freshman at Snow College. She enjoys writing about Piute sports, and she’s really good at it! In her free time, she enjoys singing, dancing, reading and hanging out with friends and family.