Claire Mann, Leah Wehrli and Nicki Wendt will captain 22 Blair High School cheerleaders during the 2023-24 school year.
Coach Kim Farrar confirmed the new team March 28 after the recent tryout process. Thirty-seven BHS students showed interest during a February cheer meeting before 31 — including 13 returners — tried out for the team.
Wehrli and Mann will lead the four-cheerleader senior class alongside Lexi Hilgenkamp and Taryn Bellamy. Wendt, Sophia Kegler, Macy Schrad, Haylie Jensen, Sam Geise, Angela Roehrs, Ella Pike, Avrie Camenzind, Kenna Nielsen and Quinn Thompson will join the Class of 2024 students on the varsity squad, too.
“Something that is new to the program this year is the addition of a junior varsity,” Farrar wrote in an email to Enterprise Media Group. “This is something I have been working for over the last three years to add.”
Though the cheer team has fundraising events such as the Jr. Bears program, and a stunting clinic for middle school students, the coach wanted to add a JV squad to teach and maintain skills for future varsity lineups. It will help BHS integrate more students-athletes into cheer and help the Bears meet the team's high expectations for performances and competitions, she said.
“I am excited for this opportunity for the JV team to learn a new sport without added pressures,” Farrar continued.
The 2023-24 junior varsity cheer team is comprised of Havah Huber, Emma Belnog, Mia McClain, Jordan Tucker, Jilliann Schueler, Lauren Opetaia, Lissy Spangler and Josie Kros.
The Bears' first practice was set for Wednesday with work to continue into the summer. Then, in August, the cheerleaders will join the rest of Blair's athletic teams in starting a new school year of competition.
