The Minooka girls cheerleading team is going to have a fun and ambitious season this year, under the leadership of head coach Ashley Cook. With new mindsets, stronger skills, and the theme of unification, this year’s team is fully concentrated on new heights, both on and off the mat.
Preseason Focus
“It’s working on perfecting our full-outs and just becoming more closer together,” said Sammie Gorak about being more technical with their perfection while making sure to bring this strong group together.
For Allie Kagay, coming in positively each day is what keeps the girls striving for that ultimate goal-to “hit zero”-that’s cheering terms for a routine without a deduction taken off.
A Change of Attitude
Compared to last year, the Minooka cheerleaders enter this season with a fresh attitude.
“We have a different mindset from last year and have improved so much since the beginning of last season,” Gorak said.
This optimism is similarly translated into Julia Mailhiot, as the team’s commitment, in her perspective, is unrivaled.
“Everyone is ready to make this year the best year,” she said.
Mailhiot actually hopes this determination develops throughout the teammates and builds on to a great performance in state, hopefully on the podium. Last year the team finished 12th in the state and 3rd in the conference.
Goals for the Season
The team’s aspirations aren’t limited to the technical achievements alone. On the mat, they are aiming to win most of their competitions and make it to day two at the state championships. Off the mat, they’re working on camaraderie and pride.
“I hope we grow closer as a team so we can make it to state and even podium,” Mailhiot said.
For Cook, though, the season is about as much more about personal growth than it is competitive success. She said she knows of no better feeling than the knowledge that her athletes get from knowing they can do something that, before now, was impossible-just think of learning that next tumbling skill or nailing a perfect stunt.
“It’s amazing to watch them do things they never thought they could do!” she said.
But it’s not without its challenges. Cook knew the battle of getting them back into competitive shape, acknowledging it takes endurance to get back out there and do a very high-intensity varsity routine. Her solution: to condition consistently and practice in focused blocks, so the team gets themselves in shape.
Beyond the competition, Cook also hopes that the athletes gain some invaluable life lessons during their tenure in the team.
“I want them to realize how good it feels when one has invested some time and energy in something and then be proud of what they have achieved,” she said.
The cheerleading team has its first competition Dec. 14 at Oswego.
