By Ember McElrath
The Nathan Hale High School cheerleading team consists of 13 members. The team is coached by Traci Roberson who has been coaching the squad for the past five years. This year started out with a bit of a blow to morale; but coach Roberson is making sure to keep a positive attitude for her athletes.
“We were just starting the season when we got hit with a COVID-19 quarantine,” said coach Roberson. “We are hoping to get everyone back real soon.”
With a quarantine soon to be under their belts, the team also has another big challenge to overcome this season as well.
“We have a lot of new members that have never cheered before on a high school squad,” said coach Roberson.
With new hurdles also comes great opportunities for a young squad. Not only are some of the members new to cheer, the team has also added their very first male cheerleader to the group. Leading the squad this year are captain Misty Asher, a senior, and co-captain Kaylee Wilkerson, who is a junior.
“This year I cannot wait to see what kind of spirit they bring to the squad,” said coach Roberson.
Even with a squad that is mostly new to cheering on a high school team coach Roberson still expects a lot from her varsity athletes.
“I expect hard work in and out of practice both mentally and physically,” said coach Roberson. “We must stay focused to succeed. We are successful because we are a family and we work hard together. A family that laughs together stays together.”
Coach Roberson is working hard to not only have a successful year of cheerleading, but she is also working hard so her team can leave behind a legacy worth following and looking back on for years to come.
“I want future Rangers to see that the cheerleaders are positive, work well together as a team, are uplifting, and outside of cheer remain a close-knit family,” coach Roberson said.
Overall coach Roberson wants her varsity athletes, “to be the best athletes they can be,” each and every day, in and out of cheer.
2021-22 Nathan Hale Varsity Cheer
Misty Asher, Sr.
Ana Ibarra-Mendoza, Sr.
Kaylee Wilkerson, Jr.
Jaydin Hall, So.
Jocelyn Humphrey, So.
Jeremiah McCarrell, So.
Natalie Mendez, So.
Jaylssa Owen, So.
Ja’Lynn Wald, So.
Kyleigh Walker, So.
Jasmyn Hemphill, Fr.
