Texas in the fall is punctuated by football — warriors on the field of play standing on the sidelines.
But each week of football season, the sidelines are filled with others that have prepared just as well. Students in the marching band have practiced their music, pounding out hour after hour in learning, memorizing, and performing tedious work on their instruments. Half a dozen trainers have worked with the school’s head trainer and stand ready to respond in an instant in case of injury or equipment failure. Then, there are the cheerleaders.
The University Interscholastic League’s website identifies cheerleading with spirit as an extracurricular activity that focuses on the traditional game day role cheerleaders have on the sidelines and in schools supporting athletic teams. Cheerleading squads may also choose to participate in competitive cheerleading-style events through various regional competitions and camps year-round. But at the UIL Spirit State Championships, schools compete in three categories: crowd leading, fight song and band dance.
The Wimberley High School cheer squad competed in the state UIL Competition in Fort Worth on Friday, Jan. 13, coached by Sierra Krauskopf and Julie Arevalo. The team consists of fifteen varsity and seven junior varsity cheerleaders, including seniors Madi Happley, Taralynn Babb and Maisie Hutchinson; juniors Risa Espinoza, Lexi Kruzie, Paige Merriman, Faith Simmons, Olivia Wilson and Maddie Aylor; sophomores Finley White, Avery Tedrick, Addie Gill, Madi Hess, Clarabow Rihn, Sarah Bieter and Susan Perdue; and freshmen Sadie Osterhues, Sophia Veriato, Whitlee Leonard, Anna Ripp, Brooklyn Bursiel and Riley DeLeon.
The team worked on their routines for months, squeezing in practices amid preparations for football playoffs. This year’s squad was the first to compete in consecutive years and look to build the event into a Texan cheer tradition.
“We feel that we will have more opportunity to increase our skills and really compete if we stay consistent in our efforts,” shared Krauskopf. “I’m very proud of their hard work. They pick up on choreography so fast and are always ready to shine.”
Happley spoke about her senior year and what she expects for upcoming seasons.
“I just want them to have fun,” she said. “It’s cheer; it should be fun.”
“I look at Maddie Aylor and the qualities she has as a leader,” Happley mused. “She sees what needs to be done and is good at involving everyone. I can definitely see her stepping up but I really like the juniors as a whole. They’re all really good at it.”
“I can’t even pinpoint who has the best leadership skills because they all come together nicely,” Hutchinson chimed in. “I think that they’re gonna be great seniors next year and leaders going forward.”
The team participated at camp in early August and cheered at volleyball and football games through mid-December — all the while attending after-school practices an average of three times per week. They also planned and performed in pep rallies, but it was not until football season was over that they were able to focus on their competition routine.
“To top it off, these girls maintained good grades,” added Krauskopf. “They go non-stop and love every minute of cheering for our Texans!”
Fifty-two teams represented Conference 4A Division 2. Texan cheer did not qualify in the top 20, but the squad said they felt they learned much about the process, made new friends and acquaintances and, overall, had a wonderful experience.
“We have already made note of areas we need to work on for next year and look forward to our next competition season,” said Krauskopf.
Hutchinson added: “I feel like we just want to make the team like kind of one big family. We’re super close and love spending time together regardless of age differences.”
“It feels like we figured out what works for us as a team and how to communicate with each other,” she continued. “The past four years have built on one another and we keep improving even though it’s a new team every year. I feel like they’re gonna keep getting better and better.”
