The WHS cheer team wrapped up their season with their final competition in February, the end of basketball season, tryouts for the 2026-27 team and their awards banquet. But cheerleaders and their coach would say their biggest reward has been the enjoyment they get from participating in this sport together.
Coach Brooklyn Hetherington’s highlights of their season has been seeing her cheerleaders have fun during the competitions, and seeing them get better at it each day.
“The highlight of my season has been watching the girls just have fun on the sidelines and at competitions,” Hetherington said.
Hetherington thought the competitions did not go as expected this year at all, but has high hopes for future seasons while competing. The team competed in MCCA performance competition in the fall and, most recently, in the MCCA gameday competition on Feb. 15. It was only the second year of them doing comp and they hope to only grow and get better from this.
“Competitions did not go as expected this year, but that is okay. This is only our second year doing comp and we can only go up from here. My goal as a coach for comp season next year would have to be cleaner transitions to different formations and stunts,” Hetherington said.
The cheerleading group has come a long way, learning on how to come together throughout the season. They always welcomed new people onto the team with open arms.
“This group of girls have come together as a team throughout the season. They were already a tight-knit group of girls, but the way they have welcomed newcomers with open arms truly has been amazing. The way they have all blossomed into leaders on the sideline, mat, and as people . . . I couldn’t be prouder,” Hetherington said.
This year, they welcomed a new assistant coach who has a background in tumbling, which has been a lot of help to the team.
“As a cheerleader there is always room for learning more. I have girls that are working on gaining new tumbling skills for example. This year we welcomed an Assistant Coach to the staff that has a background in tumbling that has been a tremendous help to the program. Going into the new season, I will be restructuring how we warm up, strengthen our bodies, and approach creating a fun and inviting game day atmosphere, as that is our top priority to bring in school spirit for fans,” Hetherington said.
Hetherington is excited for the new season, continuing to build the cheer program and get back to work with her athletes.
“I am excited about this new season, because I get to continue to work with these amazing athletes. We are getting ready to welcome a new team for the 2026-2027 season and I cannot wait to see what is ahead for this new team,” Hetherington said.
Sophomore Alyssa Boyd won the top team award of the “Golden Megaphone” for this season. She said that the award meant that she was becoming a leader on the team and she hopes her teammates know that she “has their backs.”
“I enjoyed having two coaches this season because it gave me more opportunities to grow with my skills,” Boyd said.
Sophomore cheerleader Alexis Wynn’s highlights for the season have been making good memories with her teammates.
“The highlight of my season has to be just going to every game with my teammates. Not only away games, but also home games. We make lots of memories and have fun,” Wynn said.
Wynn added that the bond of the team is special to her.
“The team bond this year is very special to me. We all get along well and always keep our problems outside of practice. We have really built a family and I think I speak for everyone when I say these girls are like my sisters. Every day is a memory for us, but my favorite one has to be just competition days. It is a great bonding experience and you get to be in a place where everyone gets you,“ Wynn said.
Senior cheerleader Jovi Robertson bonded really well with their team, she feels like they became one family together.
“Our team genuinely became a family. I remember the last day of camp we had all gotten to talk to each other one on one and appreciate the season we had to come,” Robertson said.
Being a part of the team while being in high school has brought a lot of meaning to her year, it gave her a lot of connections to talk with and be friends with.
“It’s added a whole new meaning of high school for me. It added that connection through sport being forced together at the best and worst parts of our experience,” Robertson said.
Robertson will be attending Evangel University, and will try out for the cheer team on March 28.
