By ELI LUTGENS
Publisher/Editor
A remarkable feature of the NRHEG cheer team’s season was the “second-ever” trip to national-level competition both for these athletes and for NRHEG schools. They concluded their season with an eighth-place finish at nationals the week of February 7-10.
NRHEG coach Joni Churchill started off her group’s portion of the night congratulating and thanking everyone involved in winter sports.
“You all have a lot to be proud of and we had so much fun cheering you on,” Churchill said.
“Thank you to all of the coaches for letting us come along on this fun ride. Thank you to Dan Stork, Mr. Meihak and Mr. Berg, and everybody in the office for everything they do to make this possible, Mr Domeier for being the soundtrack to our crazy. Thank you to Mr Schaefer and the pep band for always killing it; we’re so lucky to get to partner with such a great group.”
Churchill thanked the cheer parents for their continued support of their children’s endeavors.
“We couldn’t do this without you.”
Winter cheerleaders were recognized: Ariel Anhalt, Autumn Baseman, Maddy Bogue, Addy Buenger, Payton Bunn, Julia Churchill, Orianna Degen, Sierra Misgen, Avary Riskedahl, Brenna Sommer, Isabel Stadheim, Tru Thao, and Malonna Wilson.
“Not only are these guys on the sidelines of every home game, they are all athletes in their own right,” Churchill said.
The competition team earned a Regional Academic Honors award for academics, as well as earning the highest cumulative GPA in the state, both for the second straight year with a 3.79 cumulative GPA.
Two cheerleaders were named All-State: Payton Bunn and Isabel Stadheim.
Four seniors were named to the Honors Team of Excellence for having a GPA of 3.5 or higher: Bunn, Julia Churchill, Brenna Sommer, and Stadheim. All four of them were invited to apply for scholarships, which they received. This is the most athletes from any school in the 30-year history of the Minnesota Cheer Coaches Association to receive scholarships in the same year.
“We are so proud to represent NRHEG,” Churchill concluded. “Congratulations ladies.”
Awards-
The following awards were handed out, followed by comments from Churchill:
Most Versatile: Sierra Misgen
Above and Beyond: Payton Bunn
Most Positive: Brenna Sommer
Spirit award: Ariel Anhalt
“Ariel is always smiling, positive, and happy. She is a great representative for what a cheerleader should be.”
Most Valuable: Isabel Stadheim
“If Isabel wasn’t cheering one night, it was pretty much a given that she’d ask if she could. Isabel is kind, has the best attitude, and is a fantastic leader.”
Most Improved: Orianna Degan
“Learning all of this is a lot. Orianna not only had to learn all of the basketball cheers this year, she learned all of the wrestling cheers as well. It’s A LOT to remember, and Orianna did a great job.”
Most Valuable Flyer: Stadheim
“Isabel is always willing to jump into any stunt and do whatever crazy thing we think up without question (although a lot of times, the crazy ideas were hers)
Most Valuable Bases: Brenna Sommer and Julia Churchill
“These two have been powerhouses for our team. You name a stunt, Julia is going to whip off her shoe (no matter where she is) and show you how to do it, but Brenna is probably just going to do it by herself because she’s a beast.”
Most Valuable Back: Malonna Wilson
“Malonna is super strong and extremely reliable. If a stunt goes down, Malonna is going to catch it, no questions asked.”
Churchill concluded by thanking everybody for their support and hard work this season. “Go Panthers!”