The echoes of voices chanting through the stadium. The rush of air while running onto the field. Pom-poms ruffling in the breeze. Arms locked tight during stunts. Smiles spreading wide. The cheerleaders’ presence transforms the sidelines into a performance space, fueling the momentum of every touchdown and keeping the crowd alive with school spirit.

While many athletes finish practice by 5:30 p.m., WEGO cheerleaders are just getting started. Practices often run from 6 to 9 p.m., sometimes as late as 9:30 on the night before a football game. In the hot field house, they repeat chants and stunts with determination. Every rep is about precision and efficiency, because even a small mistake can cause an injury. Coaches balance pushing the athletes to improve while protecting their safety, treating them like family as they demand both discipline and care.

After lacing up their cheer shoes and rolling out mats, junior Luke Davis and senior Avery Unger put tape on the seams to secure them while they are doing their routines. Otherwise, the team could slip while they are doing cartwheels or stunts, which may cause the mats to open up and hurt someone. This kind of behind-the-scenes preparation may go unnoticed by the crowd, but for cheerleaders, safety checks like taping the mats are as important as the performance itself.

Juniors Tierney Doyle, Brandy Stirgus, and Noelia Luna stretch their hamstrings and other muscles to reduce the risk of injury during practice. Flexibility is not just about looking sharp during a stunt: It’s about protecting their bodies from the wear and tear of constant tumbling and lifting.

“You can get hurt, like pulling something, and you will be very sore the next day. You also won’t be able to hit every position or tumbling without stretching well.” Doyle said.

Junior Diana Correa hits a heel stretch, practicing her performance smile as though the Friday night crowd is already watching her.

Varsity cheerleaders rehearse their pyramid. Correa works on her form as a flyer while the backspot and bases adjust their positions.

At WEGO, there are two teams: Team A, the varsity squad who takes on advanced stunts and leads the crowd on Friday night. On the other hand, the JV team, is still building skills and confidence. Together, both teams push one another to grow.

Team B is focused on their routines over and over until coaches see the sharpness and energy they expect. Every repetition is rehearsal not just for choreography, but for stepping in front of a roaring football crowd.

As Senior Ny’Ara Tate takes off in the air to perfect her heel stretch, she pushes for clean lines and pointed toes. These are small details that can impress a coach and lift a stunt from solid to spectacular.

Photo by Roxanna Santiago

Flyer Tierney Doyle is focused while stretching her heel stretch, pointing her toes while being in the air.

“Having to trust everyone that will catch you, and it’s hard to keep your spot if you mess up,” Doyle said.

Sophomore Johnathan Barajas launches into a Baja flip, preparing to land securely in the arms of his bases. Other flyers beside him are preparing to do another Baja flip, maintaining their balance while going up and being held by their legs from the grip of the bases.

Coaches Beth Trimble and Denise Arredondo observe both teams from a distance, watching carefully for mistakes to improve both teams in their routines and performance-wise. Every note, from reminding athletes to stay tight in the air to correcting hand placement on a base, sharpens the squads for game day.

Trimble offers tips for flyers to improve their stunts, such as staying tight, having flexible toes, and being confident in themselves. Senior Avery Unger is listening and watching the demonstration that is happening before she does her libs

“I think our stunts, for sure. I think we can have more complicated stunts,” Unger said.

Athletes wait their turn to tumble, quietly reviewing their form before stepping onto the mat. Even in moments of pause, the focus is visible – whispered counts, small hand motions, and mental run-throughs keep them locked in on the next move.

“I think we could definitely improve our tumbling, and having motivation like coming to practice on time and just being there. So it makes it easier for everybody.”Junior Tierney  Doyle said.

Team A practices their cheer for Friday, shouting loudly and confidently. They run through the chant as if the bleachers were already packed, making sure their timing, volume, and expressions will hold the crowd’s attention.

“I prepare myself, not trying to get in my head with a lot, like the stunts that we’re doing and the tumbling, “ Davis said.

Junior Luke Davis laughs with teammates between stunts and engages with teammates before they go over their routine over and over in preparation for their upcoming performance in the memorial field.

“I like being a cheerleader. It’s nice – you make friends,” Davis said.

Junior Tierney Doyle focuses as she prepares to hit her lib- a one-legged stunt that requires balance and being in a tight form up in the air. Bases are also preparing their hands under Tierney cheer shoes, preventing any slips from happening.

Flyer Avery Unger holds her lib while teammates spot carefully and are prepared to catch her when she falls into the base’s arms.

“There are some stressful parts, because Beth has had changes every so often,” Unger said.

While going over their performance routine, a smile and laughter are shown by Avery, being joyful with teammates during a routine. Unger reflects on the cheer experience she has been enjoying going through high school, as she leaves her joyful energy in the field house.

“It’s something I really like doing. And I’m kind of sad it’s my last year,” Unger said.

Team A gathers for another stunt as freshman Victoria Cardiel smiles, waiting for her turn to be lifted up by the bases and hitting her lib nicely done in front of her coach.

After multiple full-outs, Team B collapses on the mats to rest up from the exhaustion and heat while being in the field house, their shirts damp with sweat and their laughter mixing with heavy breathing. The exhaustion is real, but so is the pride of knowing they have pushed themselves.

From beginning to end, cheer practice is filled with energy, focus, and teamwork. The athletes balance laughter and camaraderie with discipline and safety, determined to perform their best under the Friday night lights at Memorial Field. Behind every touchdown celebration is hours of sweat and practice – proof that cheerleading is not just spirit, but sport.

“I love it. It is my downtime from my normal job, so it gives me a whole new perspective during the day,” Trimble said.