Makeshift Competition: The competition cheer squad didn’t get to compete like normal this year

While the 36 girls dressed in blue, black and white tirelessly practice their competition routine, senior and team captain Grace Kreig thought about how this competition routine wouldn’t be showcased any kind of competition this year.

After weeks of work to perfect each movement, the cheerleading squad performed on March 12 for their parents and their own satisfaction — the closest thing they’ll get to a real competition.

Due to the pandemic, the squad wasn’t allowed compete in a typical high school gym against other squads, but the girls continued to work on their performance with after school practices due to online school and hybrid schedule. 

The squad has been learning the routine since the beginning of the year as a collective team, with the limit of no big stunts — a rule placed this year due to COVID-19 regulations.

Once it was clear there would be no true competition in January, around 20 girls quit the team because they didn’t want to practice a routine that wouldn’t be competed with. However, Kreig stuck with the other girls and continued to be a leader for her senior year.

“It’s definitely not really a competition anymore,” Kreig said. “I still want to perform though because we’ve all been working so hard.”

Kreig has been on competition cheer for four years at East and wasn’t going to let the pandemic get in the way of her enjoying her final year and let the underclassman down, one being sophomore Sam Herpich.

Her second year on the team, Herpich is disappointed they can’t compete at other high school, but still enjoys getting to perform — even if it’s only for her parents.

“It is not as fun as it normally would, but I am still excited to even just perform for all of our parents and get to show off our routine,” Herpich said. 

*videos by Olivia Olson