The Varsity cheer squad recently added six new members to the sidelines to support the Rams during the winter season. These additions are not cheerleaders but instead cheerlifters. 

Junior Coy Busick is in his second season with the squad, and joining him this season are junior Isaiah Holliday and freshmen Colton Henderson, Joe McDonald, Liam Poe, and Rusty Turner. 

“This cheer season has been good so far because we’ve got new skills that we couldn’t do last year,” said Busick.

The main job of the lifters on the squad is to lift the cheerleaders and add volume to the sidelines with their megaphones. The new members are currently learning the basics in practice to perform at basketball games. 

“The guys only work on stunting. Right now we are working on basket tosses, and some other guys are getting their one-mans,” said Busick.

As a returning member, Busick has more experience and is working on more advanced skills. 

“Some things I am trying to master now are a toss to hands one man without a front spot and a shoulder sit to one man,” said Busick.

Freshman Rusty Turner is in his first season with the squad. He and his cousin Liam Poe joined because they heard the squad needed some people to lift, and they wanted to try it out. 

“We both went to the first cheer practice, and it was entertaining and a good experience. All the people there were nice and friendly,” said Turner.

McDonald joined the squad because it looked fun.

“I want to be able to work up to a one-man this season,” said McDonald.

This season, the squad is led by seniors Jill Coleman, Faith Gammon, Harleigh Poe, and Abby Tapp. 

“Having cheer lifters has made us able to do more stunts and also work on one-mans. Our boys are also very loud on the sideline and help keep the energy up while we’re cheering,” said Tapp.

The squad will return to the floor after winter break on January 2 at the Lady Rams game against Perry Central.