By Derrick Smith

Cheer teams do more than just show up to sporting events and cheer their school to victory. There is a lot of preparation and perfecting of routines that have to be done before they hit the sidelines or cheer competitions. One thing that makes it easier is when the team is all on board and ready to put in the work. That is something that Ardmore’s fifth-year cheer head coach, Eryn Denewellis, says is not a problem for her squad.

“Our team’s biggest strength is their ‘work hard’ attitude,” she said. “No matter it is in practice, a game, performance, or pep rally, each girl shows up and gives one hundred percent every time.”

Chloe Rucker is a senior at Ardmore High School and she is also the captain of the cheer team. She says that her team has another strong quality that is huge in the team’s success.

“As team captain, it is great to see how well our team works together,” she said. “Knowing that we do not have to deal with any arguing or anything like that always makes things run smoother.”

While the team puts a lot of time into practice and being prepared, Denewellis says that her girls are outstanding students as well.

“The girls excel in cheerleading,” she said. “They also are great students in the classroom and around the school. They are great representatives of our team wherever they go.”

Sophomore team member, Mya Harris, feels like her team is more like a family and she knows that she can always count on them.

“The best part of being a part of this cheer team is not only the bonds between me and my teammates but with our coach as well,” she said. “The chemistry that is shared within Ardmore High School cheer team is strong and the main reason why we perform the way we do. My favorite memory is cheering at the boy’s basketball state game last season. It was a really fun experience.”