Although the FHN varsity cheer squad will not be competing in cheer competitions this year, Captains Kenzie Allen, Kaley McCarthy and Lexi Baker believe it is not a matter of disappointment but a chance to work on new routines without the stress of competing.

“Not competing has allowed us to grow closer as a team and focus on our school spirit,” McCarthy said.”

Gaining a new head coach and having late tryout dates has affected the team and why they didn’t compete in their first regionals competition this year, which is usually held at the end of June. With the new team, they didn’t want to be unprepared for a regional competition.

“I think they are okay with it,” Allen said. “We didn’t really get a choice this year of whether we wanted to or not. However, it makes me kind of disappointed because it’s my senior year and competing is my favorite part.”

Since they will not be competing in regionals or the state competition, they have been preparing their routine for school events like football games, soccer games and pep assemblies.

“I’m really excited for pep assemblies because we worked really hard all summer on this routine,” Allen said. “I’m also excited because I got to choreograph a lot of the routine and make the music and that was my first chance to do it this year since I’m captain.”

McCarthy believes that the team this year has been the most skilled and hard-working since the past three years on varsity. They hope that the bond that they share will show while they are cheering for the Knights.

“I am both happy and sad that we aren’t competing,” Baker said. “I’m sad because it’s my senior year and I would have liked to compete. Especially with this team, the group of girls are amazing and we have a special bond that I don’t think I’ve had with any of the other teams here and it would be nice to share that experience with everybody.”