By Matt Browning
The Eisenhower cheer squad received substantial voting support throughout the Wichita Large School Cheer Squad of the Year poll. The support from the school and community meant a lot to the Tigers’ squad because sometimes cheer gets lost in the athletic shuffle at a school.
“A few girls said, ‘it’s nice knowing that people acknowledge and appreciate our role as cheerleaders,’” Eisenhower coach Ashley Beaumont said. ‘“And even though we don’t compete in the events we cheer for, it feels good knowing our community supports us and is cheering us on too.’”
There are a variety of factors Beaumont and other judges look at when they hold tryouts in late March.
“During try-outs, coaches from the school and surrounding areas judge each participant in skill ability for jumps, motions, cheer memorization, tumbling, and stunting,” Beaumont said. “We (judges) also look at execution of skills as well as their technique. There is typically a 2–3-day try-out clinic leading up to try-outs where skills are taught and rehearsed. Once participants have been judged on their skills, we (judges) consider attitude, grades, leadership abilities, conduct, and potential for growth.”
During football season, the Tigers practice three or four times a week. Then during basketball season, they go only twice a week.
“This year’s squad has so much talent and it shows in everything they do,” Beaumont said. “They work extremely well together and are some of the most resilient groups of young adults I have ever worked with.”
Seniors on Eisenhower’s team are Brianna Henning, Olivia Barnes, Abi Nelson, Madelyn Smith and Hailey Farr.
