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While sports have only nearly started, the Lincoln High cheerleaders have been working with the Covid-19 procedures to be able to practice and prepare for the sidelines. From masks to social distancing, the team has been, and continues to prioritize safety. 

While this season is unlike any other, Senior returning varsity member, Lesly Moreno said, “I’m most proud that we get to be in this because we thought we weren’t going to have a season but we’re having one, and even if it’s so different, we’re just trying to enjoy it.” 

Moreno said that while the transition to the protocols made bonding more difficult, having to work harder for those bonds will make them that much stronger. 

The cheerleading season was put on hold through May and June, however, started in mid- July with their summer practices. Now as football and volleyball games have started, the cheer squad has prepared to sideline and cheer on the teams. 

LHS varsity cheer coach, Erika Kirkland said, “Trying to piece together a season that you didn’t even know what it would look like, it was just hard to picture.” 

“I feel really good about all the protocols we’ve been asked to adhere to,” Kirkland added. “The thing I love about coaching at Lincoln High is that everybody followed [the protocols] without question, didn’t whine, didn’t complain, and they’ve done it consistently everyday since we’ve been together. I think it speaks to our resilience, I think it speaks to our heart for others and those things are all incredibly important to me so although it’s been challenging, not impossible.” 

The Varsity cheerleading squad at Lincoln High has twenty-three participants, JV including nineteen, and Freshman with sixteen. Making a total of fifty-eight cheerleaders for the 2020-2021 season. 

Sophomore first year varsity member, Keira Hennessey said,

“Our greatest accomplishment was getting to be where we are now and being as united as we are. I definitely did not think we’d be able to do as much as we do right now. I’m really proud of this team for being able to do what we can do.” 

The cheer squad was unable to attend the stunt camp they have participated in for the past two years hosted by the Concordia University Cheer Program, or their annual summer cheerleading camp, hosted by the National Cheer Association (NCA). The LHS cheerleaders still plan to be on the sideline cheering on the Links as long as it is safe to do so.