Sideline Cheer and Mascot Return to Northwestern Athletics!
By Jensyn Siebrecht
After not having sideline cheer and a mascot for 12 years, Northwestern School now has both this fall. With seven cheerleaders and Willy the Wildcat back on the sidelines, all working together to make sure the crowd gets up and cheers on Northwestern’s football team, school spirit is soaring.
Cheerleaders include junior Annie Dvorak, sophomores Issabella Kramp, Mareya Maas, Jensyn Siebrecht, Mikaela Schmitt, Murphy Lewis, and freshmen Abigail Schnell and Allie Hoekman.
Northwestern has been fielding a competitive cheer and dance team but did not last year because they could not find a coach. The idea of doing football sideline cheer instead received overwhelming support from the girls involved. The cheerleaders are excited about being able to do sideline cheer. Michelle Schmitt stepped up and took on the role of coach, and with her help, the cheerleaders are keeping spirits high.
“I feel like it’s a great experience for other kids, so I love that it’s like coming back and it’s here,” Mikaela Schmitt said. Having her mother as cheer coach is just a bonus.
Coach Schmitt has a wealth of experience, knowledge, and ideas for teaching the girls the cheers and dances they do on the sidelines.
“I’m really excited to get sideline cheer back on the Wildcat sideline! We like to promote school spirit and cheer for all the crowds, especially the football team,” Coach Schmitt said.
After the first football game, senior Dawson Ward stepped up and offered to be the mascot. Willy the Wildcat fires up the crowd not only at football games but at volleyball matches as well.
Coach Schmitt says that “He’s a great addition” and that “we should be very well entertained by Willy.”
Bringing back sideline cheer has also brought together a group of girls who have high spirits and are becoming close friends.
“I think it’s good, we all alike, we all really like each other, and we get along very well” Kramp said.