The cheerleading team. / Photo by: Sue Moss
The Whitman-Hanson Regional High cheerleaders enter the new year chasing the program’s 15th state title. No. 14 came last fall.
Their eyes are always on the next one.
The Whitman-Hanson Regional High cheerleaders enter the new year chasing the program’s 15th state title. No. 14 came last fall.
“The team definitely has a fire under them this season to return as back to back fall state champions,” said Alyssa Hayes, who enters her second full year as the team’s head coach.
The Panthers return nine cheerleaders from that championship squad. They’ll be part of a 20-player varsity club, the largest roster in some time, making depth an obvious strength.
“I am so excited to see four stunt groups in the air,” Hayes said. “We have flyers that can also base, bases that can fly, back spots that have done all four stunting positions. With that type of dynamic team where everyone can be anywhere on the mat at any time — our opportunity to have a difficult, challenging, but rewarding routine really increases.”
W-H is led on the mat by a trio of decorated captains — seniors Ryley Hurley, Kaylee Diehl and junior Savannah Poirier.
“All three of them bring positivity, talent, and hard work to the table,” Hayes said. “They’re often the three that are after practice cleaning up or working with someone on the team to get a skill down. I think it’s important to lead by example and these three most definitely do that.”
The winning history of the program is also always on its side.
“Cheerleading is a sport where every single person on the mat is needed to achieve success,” Hayes said. “I think in that way, it takes 100 percent trust to be prosperous and achieve a goal. That in itself is what makes this sport special- it demands complete teamwork, selflessness and belief.”
The Panthers open their competition season with the Braintree Invitational on Saturday, Oct. 19 at Braintree High.
“I think it’s important to remember that the most important part of high school sports will be the experience, the memories, and being able to walk away from it better in some way than when you began,” Hayes said.