Many people think of cheer as just sideline pep at football games, but for the Lincoln team; that is far from the full story. Our cheer team is composed of talented students from various grade levels that all come together through their school pride and passion for cheerleading to form something much more than what people often see.
Beyond their support at football and basketball games, the Lincoln cheer team is involved in the community in other ways. They fundraise for charities as well as their program, bring spirit to life at Lincoln and compete in their own competitions.
Although not the first thing to pop into most people’s minds when they think of high school sports, cheer is in fact very competitive. This year, the Lincoln team has attended one competition on November 9th, which they had been preparing for since the summer. Lulu Choder (‘25), said that they “won first place in our division, which was an exciting surprise.” This means they have qualified for state at the end of January, where they will compete for the gameday cheer category which highlights sideline cheer.
This side of cheer is not always easy. It has taken the team countless hours of training and perfecting their routines to get to this point. Choder added that, “Competition season is definitely the most intense part of the year!” When asked about the challenges involved in cheerleading, Madeleine Panaiotov (‘25) said, “Cheerleading is very physically demanding, especially stunting.”
This has led to injuries that the entire team has been set back by and had to persevere through. However, the squad has not let these challenges stop them; they have instead used it to better bond as a team.
When asked, Maddy Thornton (‘27) said that, “The key to success is working hard and doing your part for your team.” She also added that if someone is not pulling their weight, then it can throw the whole routine off. Because of this, there can be challenges. However, Thornton stated, “Our team is really bonded, and we all have collective team goals.” This can help keep everyone on track through their training and performances.
When asked about how the cheer team supports each other through the cheer seasons, Kira Daniels (‘26) talked about a “Lynx Proud” huddle. They do this before their performances to “hype each other up and to remind each other ‘you got it’,” said Daniels.
Another big part of cheer is adding to the community around them.
Choder says that she is extremely motivated by this, “outside events, parades, and camp are ways we are able to spread the joy of cheerleading.” Through these events and intense practices, the whole cheer squad has inevitably become very bonded. For Thornton, this was an additional reason to join, “I decided I was gonna try out because it looked super fun, and like such a close, fun community.”
Panaiotov had a similar experience when getting into the cheer program and shared that she was “drawn to the team’s energy and spirit.” Through being this bonded, the Lincoln team has grown more successful.
Another reason as to why the cheer team has been successful is their coaches support. When asked about the support they provide, Choder said, “They constantly remind us of how hard we’ve worked and that we deserve everything we’re fighting for.” Daniels shared that, “All our coaches do their absolute best to prepare the team.”
In a competitive sport, support from coaches is crucial. Luckily for the Lincoln cheer team, they have that support. Choder also commented, “She’s the reason our program has come this far,” when talking about their head coach, Olivia King.
This team’s success is a testament to their hard work, and the support of their coaches. Their guidance helps the team navigate challenges of competitive cheerleading, including qualifiers through which the Lincoln squad will make it to state. While cheer is often overlooked as just being sideline support at basketball and football games, it is so much more.
This program represents a community, the student body, resilience, and most importantly, joy.