As high school sports are preparing for their seasons, cheerleading teams are preparing to jump, kick and stunt their way to the sidelines this fall with new Montana High School Association guidelines.
High school cheerleading teams are gearing up for their upcoming season with even more rules to keep them safe during COVID-19.
Kaley Brouwers became Missoula Sentinel High School’s cheer coach last May in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic, and she says that she was wary of this upcoming season.
“I had to change how we were going to do tryouts, and all of our preseason stuff. I feel better about it now since we are communicating with the school and getting better guidance," said Brouwers.
Valayna Cannon, a senior at Sentinel High and cheer captain, says that despite the regulations she is happy to be able to be with her team for this season.
“I am super excited for it, and we put a lot of work already and we are going to keep moving forward for it. I am a little nervous just in case something does happen, and we can't finish out the season but, no matter what I think we are still going to stay a team," said Cannon.
MHSA states that the teams must wear face masks and have hand santizer for use, and across Missoula, Big Sky High School implemented temperature checks as well.
Amy Schott, Big Sky cheer’s head coach, says that despite MHSA regulations, the cheer team will still be there to cheer on the football team.
“Football as far as we know it will look fairly normal for us, besides the masks and extra sanitizing in between things," said Schott.
Schott says that it is important for these high school student-athletes to keep as much normalcy as possible.
“i just think it is so important for these kids to have that part of their normal life stay intact a little bit, even if it means wearing your mask and washing your hands a little extra. It is really important for them to keep doing these things," said Schott
Both cheer squads are excited for the football season to start, tentatively, on Sept. 11.
