Cheer Squad Exodus Impact

Cheerleading is typically a team sport, involving squads of 10 to 20 members or more. However, one high school cheerleading squad in Nebraska faced an unexpected challenge when all but one of its four members quit less than two weeks before the Nebraska State Cheer and Dance Championships.

Facing the dilemma of competing without a full squad, Katrina Kohel, a senior at Morrill High School, made a courageous decision – she would still compete, even if she had to do it alone. With the competition located five hours away, Kohel and her coach, April Ott, had to carefully consider the logistics before committing to the journey.

Despite the requirement for a full squad in their routine, Kohel’s determination led her and Coach Ott to rework the entire performance to suit a solo routine. In just a week and a half, they transformed the routine to make it coherent and captivating with just one cheerleader. Kohel expressed her motivation, stating, “I’ve put a lot of time into cheer. It’s just always been a part of who I am, so I didn’t want to end on that note. I wanted to go out on a high one.”

Confident and undeterred, Kohel faced the challenge head-on. Her coach, Ott, noted that Kohel displayed unwavering confidence during practices and owned the routine completely.

Kohel’s family provided unwavering support, with Ott’s daughter and Kohel’s grandparents cheering her on during the competition. Despite her parents being unable to attend due to a wrestling tournament commitment, they watched her performance through Facebook Live.

The competition marked a historic moment, as it was the first time a cheerleader competed alone in the Nebraska Coaches Association. Kohel not only competed but also secured an impressive 8th place out of 12 squads, marking Morrill High School’s highest placement in three years.

The overwhelming support from fellow cheerleaders and spectators in the arena demonstrated the resilience and courage of this lone cheerleader, turning what could have been a disappointment into a remarkable and inspiring achievement.

_{Repurposed article originally published in Up Worthy}