By Angel Tran |Feature|

Named the “Best Cheerleading Squad in Lincoln, Nebraska” by the Lincoln Journal Star, this cheerleading team has more than just a reputation to uphold. After losing 13 seniors, not only will they be filling in the gaps, but they’ll be lifting each other up as well. Literally.

The newest aspect of the team will be stunting, which is completely new to high school cheer in Nebraska. Stunting, a form of lifting a person into the air, has been banned in Nebraska since 2002 by Bill Byrne, after an incident during a routine from the Nebraska Cheerleading Team in 1996, when Tracy Jensen became paralyzed by injuring her neck from stunting. LHS Varsity Cheer finished state last year at first place for the Spirit Team award, and are anticipating their return to the top titles once again this year.

“One of our goals to compete as a better state team is to improve our jumps,” junior, Serinity Walker said. “Of course, we can’t all have jumps like Logan’s, but with hard work, we can get closer.”

Varsity Cheerleader junior Logan Larsen started cheering just a year and a half ago, and ever since then, he has proved himself more than dedicated to the team by taking tumbling lessons at Cheer Xpress, sealing himself a spot as a tumbler for LHS.

“I started taking tumbling lessons last November [2016], however, I am now on a team there—A level two team, called Xtreme,” Larsen said. “But during that moment before a routine, my heart beats really fast because a lot of people are watching and I could snap my neck right then and there and there would
be 2,000 people watching me die. But at the same time, there would be 2,000 people watching me ip my back over and over, and that’s really exciting.”

“He [Larsen] is a person who has lots of genuine school spirit,” Head Coach and former Link Erika Kirkland. Stunting, while not only new to our school, is also new to the entirety of the team. Many concerns have arisen from not only cheerleaders, but the spectators as well.

“Incorporating stunting is adding a new element of difficulty that we have to work hard for as a team,” Larsen said.“I think that with stunting, the element of teamwork comes in a lot. The varsity team has a lot of teamwork already, but we have to take it a step higher, literally.”

Most, however, are excited to be including stunting into their routines.

“I feel like it [stunting] will make things more interesting to watch and will be a fun way to get the crowd more involved,” Senior MaKinna Arp said.

Natalia Schmidt, a junior and three-year cheerleader is a new flier for not only the team, but also herself. “Individually, it’s really awesome to be able to try something new and push yourself to become better at it,” Schmidt said. “You have to be able to trust your teammates more than you have before, communicate with each other more, and work as a unit, which is why I think I love being a flier.”

Sophomore, Ari Sommers will also be trying the role as a ier, and believes it will make the team even better. “Incorporating stunting has definitely leveled up Lincoln High Cheerleading,” Sommers said. “With already being known for out sharpness and ability to punch words, stunting is just another thing we are adding to our list.”

People often underestimate the workload of becoming, and being, a cheerleader. With early morning practices all summer, as well as fundraising to pay for the thousands of dollars worth of fees that go along with being on the squad, it’s more than smiling and big bows.

“The workload for being a cheerleader is intense, [and] a lot of people don’t know how early cheerleaders get up almost every morning, including the summer, to do a rigor- ous workout to be ready and properly prepared,” Arp said. And the fees? “Cheer is quite costly when you look at the total bill, but my family and I usually spend less than $300 a year,” Walker said. “As cheerleaders, we are offered many fundraising opportunities like selling cookie dough and jewelry. I’ve spent a fraction of the total cost and have received all necessary uniform pieces and attended cheer camp at Great Wolf Lodge in Kansas City.” Walker’s total cost turned out to be $1,400.

“I feel like our hard work really reflects our performances and it pays off to get titles like this,” Arp said. “I think some people are aware of this title, but I will always believe there is more work to be done so we can really prove whatever title we earn.” There is certainly no question to our standing in the cheer community across Lincoln.

“I would say we’re definitely the best cheer team in Lincoln, no doubt,” Larsen said.