Transitioning into the competitive cheer season means the Oswego cheerleaders are expanding their training. Practices are starting to get longer and more intense, with a bigger focus on conditioning, strength training, and flexibility. With a demanding competition schedule ahead, the team reports being more focused than ever, on perfecting every move, stunt, and cheer as they aim for another standout this season.
Under the leadership of Head Coaches Maggie Hill and Emily Gaw, Oswego’s competitive cheerleading team has become a force to be reckoned with in the state. This team’s success does not come easily, but their hard work emphasizes the strength and determination for this season.
Hill is looking for “athletes who demonstrate leadership, excellent skills, and are just all-around good teammates.”
Gaw agreed: “I am looking for athletes that persevere because there are always going to be injuries and illness and really tough weeks.” She then shares, “so I’m looking for athletes that are mentally and physically able to persevere through some of those difficult times.”
There is an expectation for many underclassmen to step up this year. With the majority of the team last year being seniors there are shoes to be filled.
“We have a smaller group of seniors this year, which can be kind of detrimental but at the same time it gives the underclassmen an opportunity to take on that leadership role,” said Hill.
Coach Hill and Gaw started the planning back in June of 2024. The team had summer practices and went to an away camp to round off the summer season. This camp helps the athletes gain skills that the coaches want to see executed through sideline cheer so they are better prepared for competition season.
This season they have four returning seniors and many new talents. Senior cheerleader Isabella Petasnick, who has been with the program since her sophomore year, leads with fierce dedication to both her teammates and the sport.
Petasnick shared, “I like the competitive atmosphere; it’s a very different vibe with the team that I enjoy a lot.”
Isabella communicates on the addition of boy cheerleaders. She says having more boys “is a huge benefit to the team,” and she hopes it helps them go further skill-wise this year.
Returner Joel Contreras said he is also looking forward to “having more boys on the team.” When asked about how he enjoyed cheer he said “It’s a new experience and I never thought I’d be doing cheer.”
Hill has also recognized this: “We have more male athletes that are interested in our program this year which is very exciting. We have upwards to 6 or 7 this year and this opens up more opportunities, especially with stunting.”
Although the accomplishment of making it to state last year was huge, Gaw wants the athletes to recognize they have to work for the opportunity again this year.
“We have a lot to work for, nothing is ever guaranteed. So while it is important to celebrate our accomplishments we have to recognize it’s not guaranteed we will go again. So keeping that in mind, staying humble, keeping our heads down and perfecting every week,” said Gaw.
With lots of insight from Coaches Hill and Gaw, the Oswego community is excited to see what the 2024-2025 competitive cheer team brings.
My name is Katelyn Clemons and I am currently a senior at Oswego High School. This is my first year being on the 42Fifty staff but will be my second year on yearbook. I hold an editor in chief position there.
You can contact me by emailing 42Fifty@sd308.org and putting my name in the subject line. We welcome comments on our articles and feedback on our publication!
My name is Madison Gilio, this is my first year of the 42Fifty publication staff. I am a senior in high school. I am part of Yearbook Reflector as well as the Quill and Scroll (Journalism) Honors Society.
