Bloomington High School North, Nikean, 2009, Page 94

Description:	itWe, as juniors, have big shoes to fill.jjA team cant always rely on strength in numbers, as evidenced bythe cheerleading squad.There are no seniors on the roster, so everyone on the team has beenasked to step up and take a leadership role. The juniors on the squadhave six other girls looking up to them; they have to act like seniorsand hold the responsibility of motivating the other girls like a seniorwould.Their coach, Shannon Ritz, believesthat the juniors should not be underestimated because of this. Junior Kali Irelandagreed.Everyone, especially the underclassmen,have high expectations of the season, andfor the people who are leading the group, Ireland said. We, as juniors, have big shoes to fill.The 2008 seniors served as examples to the 2009 juniors as theywere known for putting their full heart into making the team increasingly stronger. Junior Clari Buehler gives a lot of credit to the 08squad, saying they provided the foundation that gave the currentgroup motivation to accomplish their goals.TAKING HOLDOF TALENTWe wouldnt be at the level that were at if it werent for theseniors last year, Buehler said. They put all the time and effort intoleaving the program on a high note and with a structure to improvethe next year.Ritz finds that the level of talent hasnt changed, but some are lackingthe experience of being at the varsity level. Sophomore Lacey Salyersand freshman Joanna David are in theirfirst years on the varsity squad. They maynot be new to cheerleading, but as theystepped onto the varsity squad their rolewas more influential than expected.We lost some very dominant seniors,and on top of that, we have fewer peopleto work with. It allows the underclassmen to be more involved in decision-making and leading, Salyers said.David thinks that the juniors have done a fine job stepping up as rolemodels, and that the program is bouncing back fast from the loss.I kind of like not having seniors because I heard that they really liketo pick on the freshmen.by SamanthaStutsmanFacing Franklin CoBartlett (6) sets thman and Janellesenior Annie Phili, sophomore Briannaseniors Aphten Gold-proach the net andn. Bartlett said she isa competitive player motivated most by the adrenaline rush she gets during matches. Adrenaline islike a drug for me. It keeps me going throughoutthe game, Bartlett said. The Cougars lost only onegame to Franklin for a 3-1 win.Motivation is what gets cross country runners tothe finish line. Some runners are motivated by thecheering crowds during long races, while othersare motivated by enthusiastic parents or personalgoals of the State competition. Junior Patrick Carter, shown running at the North Invite, is motivatedmost by his fellow teammates. I feel like I have todo well during meets%p thw I dont let the teamdown, Carter said.According to senior Jteam has been strenwho have played wijWeve all playedjBaughman, the soccerby having 1 5 seniorser for several years.ether long enough that weknow everyone and how they will play, he said.In summer practices we put in the time and knowthat everyone else is too. This hard work drives ustoward our goal of winning State. Baughman willbe playing soccer at Northwestern University.o 94 □ fall sports o
Source:	http://cdm17129.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/hs-bloomnorth/id/6870
Collection:	Bloomington High School North

Further information on this record can be found at its source.