South Cheerleading

by Abbi Francisco

Like every other sports team south cheer has been very different this year. The cheer team participated in summer workouts on Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays for about two months. They also took advantage of the three week period and practiced dances, sidelines and got a pretty good idea of who would be on the 2020-21 team. Tryouts were placed on August 17, 2020. Duane Nutt the head coach kept 22 girls, this is one of the biggest teams he’s ever coached. The team contains four seniors, two of them have cheered all four years while attending Parkersburg South High School. The first home game all four girls were walked down the field for senior night, it was bittersweet for the underclassmen. Riley Hannah, junior, said, “Gracie Parks has been my best friend since the beginning of my freshman cheer

season, it is going to be so sad not having her around next year.” The girls have gotten very close over the years according to Riley.

The cheerleaders are now preparing for their regional competition that will take place on November 7th at Parkersburg High School. The team had a delayed start due to the global pandemic. Many of the other cheer teams around the state have just recently held tryouts. The south cheer team is very lucky to have had as much practice time and preparation. Sadly, all cheer teams are not allowed to be stunting this season. The WVSAC gave the coaches the opportunity to vote on weather they would want to allow stunting or not. The girls routine is something very different then what they are used to, but they are working very hard to be the best they can possibly be.

With all the changes being made this year the coaches must be under a lot of stress. South is coached by 3 amazing adults. Duane Nutt and Michelle Weaver are both teachers at Parkersburg South. Julie Lowers is not a teacher but she has been helping with the program for awhile now. Duane Nutt, head coach, said, “ Coaching this year is a step in an unknown territory. You never know how big a part of something plays in your season until it’s taken away from you. I understand the decision for no stunting in the fall, but is definitely different without the stunts. The kids have adapted well to the non-stunt season and we are making the best of it and enjoying time with teammates. Our approach has been different starting with the past summer when we focus much of our six weeks together on weightlifting and conditioning.“ The cheer team and coaches are very interested to see what it will be like competing with the new restrictions.

The cheerleaders are definitely working hard to adapt to the new rules and achieve their goal of going to states. The Parkersburg South students and faculty continue to root for the cheer team, all other athletic teams and programs. We’re excited to see what the girls do November 7th.