Lakeview High School’s 2023-2024 cheer squad has gotten the luxury of obtaining two new coaches this year. Last season, Varsity and Junior Varsity had a shared coach through the season. As of this year, each squad had obtained their own coach. During the football season, the new Varsity coach is Erin Rich and the Junior Varsity coach is Tracie Lennox. During basketball season, both coaches will coach the Varsity squad.
The new addition to Lakeview’s athletic department staff has greatly benefited all the cheer squads. Both Rich and Lennox have coordinated with the eighth grade and freshmen quads’ coaches to include them as much as possible with Varsity and Junior Varsity. Together, everyone has worked to teach all the squads new cheers, dances, and simply how to operate as a cheerleader. Erin and Lennox have decided to begin preparing upcoming Varsity and Junior Varsity cheerleaders with the help of both squads.
I began by asking Lennox how the squads prepared for their seasons.
Lennox states, “They are super talented athletes as well as dedicated to all things cheer (sign painting, locker room decorating, planning pep rallies, and displaying school spirit).”
During and out of the season, cheerleaders prepare with multiple practices per week. Here, they focus on learning and creating new cheers. This year the coaches focused on creating tumbling routines as a new crowd pleaser during games. The cheerleaders and coaches put plenty of time into planning school events such as pep rallies and spirit week themes. This includes games and themes that students will be interested and participate in. The coaches also aid the cheerleaders in creating signs for games and decorating locker rooms.
Next, I discussed with both Rich and Lennox their thoughts on the football cheer season and thoughts on the upcoming basketball season.
Rich starts us off by stating, “I am so proud of the cheerleading squad and how they have bonded. The Varsity, JV, and freshman squad worked hard all summer to prepare for the season. We are having fun cheering on the football team and looking forward to the basketball season. We will be preparing soon for our basketball halftime dances.”
Lennox then includes her input by expressing, “My first year coaching has been an awesome one thus far! I’m beyond proud of our cheerleaders who have worked hard all summer and throughout the season. I’ve definitely loved watching them cheer and tumble at the football games and I’m looking forward to the upcoming basketball season!”
Both Rich and Lennox are very proud of their cheerleaders this year and what they’ve been able to accomplish. They often express how much they love coaching and how proud they are of the cheerleaders and their progress throughout the season. All the cheerleaders have connected with their coaches and appreciate all of their effort and support to create an amazing squad for Lakeview.
Rich and Lennox have provided an amazing experience for all Lakeview Cheerleaders. The coaches altered the Cheer Clinic to provide a better experience for the Lakeview cheer squads as well as the campers. Most of the campers consisted of Lakeview’s own Little Bulldog Cheerleaders which overall led to a better connection between all of Lakeview’s Cheerleaders.
The new coaches have even created a better experience for the Varsity Basketball Squad by bringing fresh eyes to the table. Rich and Lennox provided the squad with a member from Cheertime to teach the cheerleaders new cheers, dances, and create their starting five for basketball season. With this advantage and input from Rich and Lennox, they have positively influenced Lakeview’s cheer squads.
Overall Rich and Lennox have been an outstanding addition to Lakeview’s cheer squads as the new Varsity and Junior Varsity coaches. They have created a safe environment for the cheerleaders to explore their multitude of talents. Both coaches listen and include the creativity of cheerleaders to add school spirit and create a better cheer team for Lakeview.
