By Chris Cox 

With 21 cheerleaders, Maize South cheer coach Tiffany Harlan not only has enough cheerleaders for a junior varsity and varsity squad, but she also gets a unique blend of talents on both squads.

“Our junior varsity team blends in really well with our varsity squad which is awesome and something I haven’t had in the past,” Harlan says. “I also have some competitive cheerleaders that cheer outside of Maize South. They bring a lot of their experience and cheer ability to our team as well.”

Harlan says the skills her competitive cheerleaders bring helps make Maize-South a well-rounded squad with the ability to do a lot in their routines.

“My competitive cheerleaders bring pretty elite tumbling skills and are very experienced when it comes to stunts,” Harlan says. “That’s always nice to have on the team when it comes to working routines and new stunts for game day.”

With such a big roster, the question of team chemistry always comes up, but Harlan says this year’s squad is basically one big family.

“My goal is to build a family-oriented team and I feel like I’ve been successful with that,” Harlan says. “These girls get along very well and they are there for each other and support each other.” 

Harlan credits this senior class with not just for helping build the family atmosphere she likes to see, but for also getting everyone ready for game days and competitions.

“My seniors and JV captain lead everything,” Harlan says. “They help with practices, warming up the girls, stretching and calling cheers. They train each so they know what to do when they are seniors.”

Harlan says the work her girls put in has not gone unnoticed. 

“We are definitely getting a lot more support from parents and the other teams at our school,” Harlan says. “It’s hard work and it takes patience. But these girls are taking everything and are constantly putting in that work to get better each game and each competition.” 

The Maize South cheer squad includes Haylee Allred (Sr.), Alex Bolinger (Sr.), Jillian Holt-Lofgreen (Sr.), Brooke Palmer (Sr.), Axie Sanchez (Sr.), Jasmin Simon (Sr.), Alyssa Stowell (Sr.), Candace Britting (Jr.), Tatum Hoard (Jr.), Anistyn Maldonado (Jr.), Amelia Valarezo (Jr.), Caroline Weible (Jr.), Lizzie Albert (So.), Taylor Tholen (So.), Naomi Lewis (Fr.), Taylor Ramsey (Fr.), Katherine Rice (Fr.), Izzy Sailing (Fr.), Aubrey Scott (Fr.), Marisol Triana (Fr.), and Vienna Valarezo (Fr.).