Editor’s Note: 42Fifty staff member Bryli Elizondo is part of the OH Cheer team and did not take part in the writing of this article.
OH Cheer broke barriers this 2025 competitive season: for the third consecutive year, the team qualified for State, earning a best score 92.8 and placing fifth overall, an impressive jump from the previous year’s 22nd finish.
The OH cheer coaches and athletes alike were very proud of this accomplishment.
“It really means a lot,” junior flyer Gia Smith said. “It just shows how hard we’ve worked and how much passion we put into what we do.”
This season for the team has been filled with chalk ages and setbacks, but going to State and finishing on a high made the journey worth it.
“[Being at state means] absolutely everything,” said junior back spot team member Nick Waldron, a first-year OH cheerleader, “we’re a team and we stick together through the bad and good, and being here shows our hard work.”
Co-Head Coach Emily Gaw, now in her eighth season, acknowledged these difficulties the team faced.
“This was our hardest year ever, in terms of other sports we were in defense all season,” Gaw said. “I never felt like we were ever ahead and where we could take a breath for a week.”
Many of these athletes felt the impact of injuries in this season as well.
”There has just been injuries and some other stuff we can’t control you know” said junior back spotter Kaleb Stumpenhorst. “We’ve had broken elbows and two flyers out in the same week. The coaches being able to bring everyone in and bring everyone together has been a great strength for us.”
Despite all these factors, the team has still maintained a strong connection.
“They’re just funny, they find ways to make each other laugh, they’re kind to each other, we have a very strong culture,” Gaw said.
“We preach a lot about taking pride in your program and school and because we have values and standards after a bad day we can pick ourselves up and brush ourselves off,” Gaw added.
This team has also seen an increase in male athletes, a change that has sparked conversations.
“I’ve got some hate from it,” Waldon said, “but at the end of the day, I’m at State, so I’m feeling good.”
Stumpenhorst also emphasized the evolving nature of the sport.
“I mean, really it [is] not only a female sport anymore even though it seems that way, it’s kind of been traversed so that everybody can do it,” he said.
Many of these new cheerleader also participated in football. Waldron highlighted this transition. “This team has helped me with grit and it’s just very different going from football to cheer and forming that mindset,” he said.
As the 2025 season concludes, the OH community and cheer team is still celebrating their success.
“[My favorite moment was] when we finished the routine and knowing we hit,” said senior base team member Isabella Petasnick, “like that’s just the best feeling ever.”
Coach Gaw is already setting expectations for next year.
“I’m itching to get on the podium and get top three,” she said. “Really, I’m just excited to see what the athletes want to do. They were so close. They were less than 0.8 from being on the podium, so I’m excited to see how hungry they are in June.”
Hello! I'm Lindsay Arand, a first year staff reporter and sports editor for the publication. I am a senior this year. At OHS I am apart of OATS, as well as track and girls soccer. I'm excited to collaborate and meet new people! 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!
I am a Senior at OHS and in my second year as a journalist. I am a podcast co-editor and a co-editor in chief and I am excited for my second year being a journalist for the school. 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!
Such a great acomplishment for out OH Cheer team!