The University of Northern Iowa is home to many athletic organizations. With football, men’s and women’s basketball, wrestling, and volleyball; The Panthers have no shortage of individuals gifted with athletic prowess and determination. When our games occur and moments of triumph are captured, who do we have to thank for keeping our spirits boosted and our energy circulating? Look no further than the UNI cheerleading squad.
Seniors and student coaches Piper Pinion, Emily Bertlshofer and Elly Shaw have been leading the team and have been displaying versatile move sets such as constructing pyramids, individual stunt choreography, and tumbling with a grand sense of flair. As a student-led organization, the cheer team is restricted from taking part in competitive tournaments. However, they do not let that diminish their commitment to hard work and perseverance within their performances.
As a squad, they are built from the fact that they lean heavily on lifting each other up. Not just in performing stylish stunts, but by keeping a positive mentality to succeed in their respective routines. The team prioritizes confidence by ensuring that their skills are not based on criticism, but rather encouragement. For many athletes, it can be extremely frustrating to witness a goal being unfulfilled along with their fellow teammates.
When facing their moments of low, they emphasize team bonding, whether honoring a seasonal holiday, celebrating a teammate’s birthday, or heading out to dinner to build camaraderie. The cheerleaders’ hearts for one another shine brighter than gold as they ensure that everyone on the team has a place where they all share the spotlight. Anxiousness is a trap that one could easily fall into when performing a significant set of skills. Yet, that does not prevent them from ensuring they all achieve triumph.
The team remains focused, precise and efficient through each number they perform and have a level of commitment that separates them from other D1 university cheer squads. What propels them as they face trials and tribulations is their enthusiasm in giving the crowd the push needed during the toughest sections of Panther athletics. From an outside perspective, cheerleading may only seem like tumbling and shouting praise. That aside, the student-led sport has a huge attachment to engaging in positivity and keeping the momentum going with excitement. As many know, not every skill is handed to one right off the bat.
With learning and expanding knowledge, there are bound to be obstacles that challenge individuals to grow in spirit and wisdom. Freshman Avery Dasch, who’s been cheerleading since high school and even in all-star cheer, explains that one of the obstacles cheer members have faced is that the sport is “demanding” in comparison to high school cheer. Dasch highlights the sport by claiming it drives them to be better, both as people and as teammates. She states, “We are all hurting and we are all in pain, yet we still encourage each other and push each other,” in reference to how physically exhausting it can be.
They look forward to football and basketball season the most, as the crowds gradually grow large in anticipation for each upcoming game. Pinion states, “Most of the team’s success comes from football games, basketball games; Pre-game is our biggest thing of the year aside from Cheer Pom.” She continues by saying when a stunt fails or something unfortunate occurs in the path of the team’s progress, they are able to feed off of the high energy and support of each individual.
The role of support is evident through each participant in this organization and allows for those watching their performance to really become engaged with how they are committed to looking at the brightside. They remain benevolent, compassionate and fervent. They are the epitome of school spirit. The UNI cheerleading team is a dedicated group of courageous individuals that seek to spread enthusiasm one cartwheel at a time and keep improving no matter what they encounter.
