CHEER AND DANCE TEAMS RETURN TO ACTION

NICK THOMPSON, TRUMPET SPORTS WRITER

Wartburg’s cheer and dance teams are getting into formation to get back into action.  

Both teams were impacted from the hold on sports during the fall term. Because there weren’t any football games during that time, the cheer and dance teams also couldn’t participate. Like any other sport now, they also have to change up how they have to do things.  

“The biggest change will be the lack of spectators allowed at competition. We usually rely on crowd interaction to help with our facials and being cheered on definitely increases the intensity and energy in our routines. Other changes include wearing masks everywhere besides the performance floor, no pom switching, and limitations of lifts,” Hailey Schmitz, Wartburg’s head dance coach, said. 

Schmitz, a 2020 Wartburg grad, was also on the dance team during her time as a student. 

“I feel being very close in age to the team provides unique advantages as well as a few challenges. I feel I am able to relate to the members of my team, and recognize the needs of the team. However, I definitely miss being able to dance. Our entire schedule for the season has been turned upside down. Overall the team is adjusting well and we are doing the best we can with the circumstances,” Schmitz said.  

Another thing that has been moved because of COVID is the conference competition for the cheer and dance teams. It has been moved from February to the end of March to give the teams more time to prepare. This move has also forced some people to choose between cheering and getting their careers started. 

“Since the competition date for our annual Conference competition has been moved many times, each team member had the choice to compete or to pass. As a senior, I am in a full-time internship and have a lot of work to do after hours, so I will not be competing this year,” Kylie Davis, fourth-year dance team member, said.  

The spring football season will bring another opportunity for the teams to show off what the long wait has reaped.  

“We have not had the opportunity to cheer at any events so far this year, but we are hopeful for the spring football season. We’ve been fortunate to still hold practices and keep up our skills up to this point,” Tara Winter, Wartburg’s head cheer coach, said.  

Both teams are bringing the excitement back to Wartburg with them being able to show school spirit and be back together as a team. 

“I feel like we are all very grateful to be back together and to do what we love as a team,” Hanna Schmitt, fourth-year cheerleader, said. 

“It is definitely not an ideal season, but we are making the best with what we have left of the year,” Schmitz said.