By Chris Cox 

Each team, no matter the sport, takes on a personality each year. That’s no different for Kristin Thiessen’s Remington High School cheer squad. While all of her have been made up of good kids, Thiessen says this year’s squad is a very close group.

“They are very fun-loving and happy-go-lucky,” she says. “Whatever we do, we’re going to make sure we have a good time doing it. They get along very well and are a very loyal, supporting group of girls.”

That closeness has really fostered an attitude of teamwork among the Remington cheerleaders.

“They love to be together,” Thiessen says. “The enjoy being together so that really pulls the teamwork together. They see the importance of protecting one another inside of cheer and outside of cheer. They aren’t cliquey but are very loyal to one another and very protective of each other. They also enjoy practicing and working together.”

While the group might be close, it entered the year with just limited cheer experience. With that relatively inexperienced group, Thiessen knew she going to have to rely on her two senior captain Alissa Eck and Cora Thiel.

“They’ve both been on the squad for four years,” Thiessen says. “They bring all of the past experiences. They know all of our cheers, all of our dance routines, and everything comes down through them.”

Thiessen says Eck and Thiel says their styles of leadership are very complementary.

“They balance each other out,” she says. “Cora is a real natural athlete. She has tumbling ability and is a dynamic flyer. She brings things together and is an excellent teacher. Alissa comes alongside with encouragement, organization, and is a great one-on-one teach. Cora is great in a team setting while Alissa handles the one-on-ones.”

With all the challenges these past couple of years have brought from illness to lockdowns to online school and virtual practices, Thiessen says she’s proud of these girls.

“They are a really great group of girls,” she says. “I’m extremely proud of them and I think our community is very proud of what we are doing.”

The Remington Cheer squad includes co-captain Alissa Eck (Sr.), co-captain Cora Thiel, Addison Evans (Jr.), Lillian Wagner (Jr.), Macy Brown (So.), Madelynn Cook (So.), Alexis Giles (So.), Madison Hepner (So.), Ava Klaassen (So.), Kara Sommers (So.), Lilli Young (So.), Hannah Litton (Fr.), and Camila Martinez (Fr.).