By Olivia Augustine – News Editor 

The Jonathan Law cheerleading team has transitioned from cheering at football games and basketball games to participating in competitions across the state.

The cheerleading team has been to two competitions and placed in the top half of the teams. This year the team had more students than in the previous year. 

Heading into the season, coaches had a few goals for the team. 

“Our goal is always growth, not just as a team but as individuals,” Coach Toohey said. “As a program our goal was to go out there our first two competitions and ‘hit it’ –  and they did just that.”

The coaches worked with each teammate individually to make sure the team as a whole was ready for the season. 

“Once we got into football season some of my initial worries eased given we were all able to come together; I think that partly had to do with our coach helping us on an individual level in areas we all needed to better; and also due to the seniors this year,” senior captain Aurora Rutkowski said. “Overall, I think this season we have a great team, full of girls who love to have fun and connect with their teammates but also know how to put in the work and try new skills, like our new flyer Sakshi and even our new girls we have basing.”

The second half of the season is their toughest because it is competition season., but with hard work, they made sure they were ready. 

“During competition season, these athletes that stuck it through, have put in countless hours of practice to get where they are now,” Toohey said. “Just like many other cheer programs this year we have started with basics and worked extremely hard to get to the advanced skills we have put forth onto the mat.”

The captains have worked hard with the team to make sure they were ready for the start of the season. 

“My favorite part of the season this year generally has been that we have so far been blessed with a whole season,” senior captain Kailey Smith said. “Being a captain means teaching and leading by example, this year I have pushed myself through mental blocks in tumbling that I have had in previous years and I have encouraged others to push themselves in learning new skills.” 

This year captains were excited to be leaders of the team.

“This season I have enjoyed getting the opportunity to be a captain and lead my team,” senior captain Gina Thompson said. “I’ve also made a lot of memories this year that will be special to me for the rest of my life such as senior night and performing amazing routines at competitions.”