Who says Cheerleading isn’t a sport?!

Written by Ashley Woodlief, Sports Editor

"Maroon, gray, and white come on Tribe let’s fight!" Heading their way to Orlando, Florida, for nationals says it all. This year the cheering coaches at Dobyns-Bennett have taken the varsity squad to a whole new level. They’ve done this by allowing upcoming freshmen to compete for a spot on the team, by making all varsity members participate on the competition squad, and also by adding another coach to the team. Regardless, there are no complaints. All the girls had such positive things to say about all the new things this year. For the freshmen girls, being a part of this varsity squad made the transition from middle school to the wonderful world of high school easier.  Knowing the talent from the girls on the varsity squad and making the same ones do competition squad made it easier for the coaches to come up with an outstanding routine. When the team went to summer camp in, 2008, they met an amazing instructor who then became their chorographer and coach. When meeting the girls at cheer camp he thought they had great attitudes and just a great joy to work with. This helped him decide to make Kingsport his home and join the coaching staff of D-B. Sadly, D-B cheerleading took a hard hit with the loss of former Head Coach Raycean Hollis when she decided to end her time at D-B in 2006. Leaving an amazing legacy behind, new incoming Head Coach Ross had some big shoes to fill. So far she is doing an amazing job, making big changes, all of them for the best.

   When talking to the Trainers at ETCG (East Tennessee Cheer and Gymnastics) about all the new changes, they seemed very enthusiastic about the new differences. Jumping right on board with Coach Ross and the changes, these trainers both agreed they saw a bright future for the D-B cheer squad. Of course, with a new coach comes a rebuilding process and new philosophies, but all around, it was time for a change in D-B cheering. They love the new rule that if you are on the varsity team, you must be a part of the competition team. When it comes to having to be a part of two teams, the dedication and commitment shows. Talking about the competition with them was very inspiring. You would never think of cheering and the ACT to be alike, but in actuality, it is. The competition makes the squad want to rise to greatness and achieve a great score, just like the ACT. The girls practice and work hard on perfecting their stunts, dances, and cheers. Having to practice three times a week for two hours, the team really never gets a break. These girls have the drive and willpower to do just about anything it takes to succeed and win.

   Having all four grade levels on one squad it was nice to be able to get different points of view about cheering for D-B. The freshmen teammates wanted to mention that some people may think that with all the practicing they do that it may be hard to keep up with all their class work, but all the freshmen girls said that this was not true. Most said that after their practice they usually go home, get all their work done and still have time for fun. They also said that the squad had such team unity that it is almost like they are a family. The three seniors this year show their emotion on the bittersweet ending to their last year with D-B cheerleading. Although senior Hayden Hollis will be the only senior to pursue cheerleading after high school, all three girls said they would miss cheering for such a great school. With all the girls getting along so well it makes it for one great season.

        A big event to this year’s season would have to be their upcoming competition November 21, 2009. It is a huge day for the squad, putting all their hard work and effort out there on the mat for all to see and judge. This day can either be the best or the worst of their season. With a win they can come home knowing they have stuck with the amazing legacy former Head Coach Raycean Hollis left behind for them to work with. Winning (# of wins) in her eight years at D-B she laid the foundation that Coach Ross is now having such a pleasure to build upon. So when talking to the coaches about what they expect out of this season they had nothing but great pleasure in telling me that all they could ask for is that the girls walk on that mat knowing they performed their best, no matter what the results show. When you see how the girls are doing with Coach D’s choreography, you can see they are doing great, learning bits and pieces over the year and then bringing it all together. Regardless, all the coaches want is for the girls to go out and do the best they can and hit a solid routine. Coach D just wants the girls to know that “You can do anything with a group that has such a great positive attitude!"

1. tyler henry Says:
   December 14th, 2009 at 2:41 pm

   I think the cheerleading team is doing real good this year and i have a lot of support for them.

   [Reply]