Sideline Spirit: LeBlond cheerleading

By Kirsten Stokes

This week’s Sideline Spirit features the LeBlond Eagles cheerleading team ahead of Friday’s Game of the week versus Plattsburgh.

On Tuesday afternoon, the Golden Eagles cheerleaders practiced for this week’s game and their homecoming performance. Head coach Adrienne Smith used her experience and voice to lead the team through practice.

“Give it more energy girls. Remember we’re doing kicks and jumps,” Smith said to the girls.

If there was one word to describe the team she has this year, Smith said it would be “versatile” due to the young and new athletes this year.

“I have eight new girls out of a 12-girl squad, and they work hard on their own. They work hard as a team,” she said. “I have a great senior leader, and I have a couple good junior leaders who have really pushed the girls to work on their motions, work on their jumps and making sure that we’re looking cohesive when performing or doing sidelines.”

With a chunk of leadership who graduated last year, this year’s team captain, Sophie Kozol, is the only senior captain who has been on the team for all four years. She expressed some of the challenges and triumphs of her position and the status of this team.

“During practices, it’s like everything was going well, but when we get to game day scenarios, sometimes it’s just harder because you can’t think. You just have to do,” Kozol said.

However, she said the team bonding that’s done before practice allows them to laugh and enjoy each other’s company

Thinking one step ahead to always prepare the next year’s team is Smith’s goal, and that’s what will keep the spirit up for LeBlond cheerleading.

“I will graduate four seniors, but that leaves me with a good group to move on for the next coming years, for the underclassmen and even our middle school coming through,” Smith said.