By Chris Cox
Norwich’s cheer squad might be small, but they are experienced. Five of the six cheerleaders are upperclassmen and head coach Erin Walter says that makes everything just a little bit easier.
“They already know what’s expected of them,” she says. “They come out and know what to do. They also are able to come up and help the freshman. They have those leadership skills and they’re able to step in when I’m not there.”
Walter says her captains, Kanyen Dopps and Hannah Thompson, have a passion for cheer and lead this year’s squad to be the best it can be.
“They have been cheering for Norwich since their seventh-grade year, so this is their fifth year as a cheerleader,” Walter says. “They have cheered non-stop every school year and are always there and always available. They love cheerleading. It’s their favorite sport. Because they’ve done it so long, they know the responsibility and what’s expected of them.”
The lone freshman on the squad is Hannah Pinkston and Walter says she’s excited to watch her grow over the next several years.
“She was a cheerleader in junior high, so she has a little bit of experience,” Walter says. “I love her energy and her optimism. She is willing to participate and try new things. She’s our flyer and she has no fear. She just has a great attitude and is eager to learn and do her best. I’m excited to see where she goes in the next few years.”
Walter’s goals for this year’s squad are predominantly focused off the mat. With Norwich being a smaller school, she believes the built-in chemistry these girls have from growing up together helps them achieve those goals.
“You can tell they have that comradery,” says Walter. “They have fun together. We try to have fun at practice and they’re laughing and giggling. They just understand each other. They know what the others like and dislike. It’s easier for us to be a team because they know each other on that deeper level.”
As the year begins to wind down, Walter says she’s just proud of how the group has come together.
“We take pride in who we are,” she says. “We love cheering on all of our student body and participating and supporting them.”
The Norwich Cheer squad includes Kanyen Dopps, Kira Kelly, Kayla McPhail, Hannah Pinkston, Haley Sheetz, and Hannah Thompson.
