By Christopher Tremblay

Over the past few seasons the Norwood fall cheer squad has accomplished a successful program, finishing fourth in the South Regional Sectionals in the large coed division and seventh at the States. This fall, the Mustangs finished in the top three of various international competitions in the coed division; third in the South Regionals small coed division, and top five in the States.

Coach Jill Buckman would love to get her winter cheer team to the same status the fall team has had. However, a majority of the girls who participate in the fall do not compete in the winter as they move over to gymnastics. So far, the winter squad is made up of a lot of newcomers trying the sport for the first time.

Last winter, Buckman had four girls take the challenge for the first time and the quartette liked the sport so much they decided to return this season.

“None of them had ever cheered before and knew absolutely nothing about the sport,” Buckman said. “Because a lot of the girls move over to gymnastics, the winter season has become for those looking to try the sport. It’s not as intense as the fall; we take part in three competitions during the winter and look to get better each competition while increasing our scores.”

Returning this winter for a second go-around at the sport are back spots Rachel Noel and Schellandie Cherrisson, flyer Sarah Souza, and Isabelle Allen, who is a jack of all trades outside of the back spot. With her versatility and talent, Allen was named to the Tri-Valley League All-Star team.

According to the Mustang coach, cheering can be tough at first, especially for someone who has never taken part in the sport. Stunting is somewhat difficult to get the timing down and practice is the only way to improve, but it looks as if her four new recruits have been able to take their cheering to the next level.

Souza, who like the other three girls are participating in their second season, has been thinking about taking part in cheer for a long time.

“When I was living in Brazil, I saw the sport and thought that it was really cool, but we didn’t have the sport,” Souza said. “As soon as we moved to Norwood I was so happy that they had cheer and doing it with friends is so much better.”

As a freshman, Souza, along with Allen and Cherrisson, were playing tennis for the Mustangs in the spring and after seeing how well the fall cheer team did, she was more than anxious to take part in something she had wanted to do for a long time.

“Watching the girls, I wanted to be part of that; the stunting and tumbling was amazing,” Souza said. “Seeing the girls all the way at the top was something that I wanted to try. Being tiny I figured that was something that I could do; I love it and it’s the best feeling ever being up there.”

Souza got Allen, her friend and a soccer player during the fall, to come out with her during their sophomore year to try out for the winter cheer team.

“I wanted to stay busy and active during the winter so cheer sparked my interest,” Allen said. “The uniforms are top notch and I enjoy all the stunting and tumbling. Stunting is one of my favorite things to do at practice and I am getting better at my tumbling.”

Although she is now primarily a base, Allen has taken part as a flyer for and found that it was something she liked but believes that she is a much better base and finds it interesting.

Cherrisson, another tennis player, found out that Souza and Allen were thinking about trying out for the winter team and decided to follow suit.

“I was just chillin’ when Bella and Sarah told me that they were going to try out for the cheer team and asked me if I wanted to go with them,” Cherrisson said. “I took up their offer and found out that I really loved the sport, so I stayed with it. The energy and competitions are great.”

Unlike the other three girls who were on the courts together, Noel heard about cheer through her friends, and although she never really considered it, she decided to give it a shot.

“I hadn’t really thought about the sport, but once I did consider it and joined the team, I found that I really liked it,” Cherrisson said. “I like the energy that it provided and it was really fun. Stunting is all out there, but back spot is an important position and I enjoy keeping the flyers stable and safe.”

Souza, Cherrisson, and Allen all enjoyed their inaugural winter season of cheer that they decided to tackle the fall season as well. Although only being on the junior varsity team, they are all having fun while improving their talents in the sport.

“I am hoping that next year Il be able to make the varsity team andI know that I have to work on my tumbling,” Allen said. “I have a mental block about hurting myself. I don’t want to get hurt and put the team in a bad position. I just need to tell myself that I can do it and don’t worry about it.”

Souza originally found herself in a tough sport at first too but has since gotten over the stigma and has improved upon her tumbling.

“At first I couldn’t do things right as I was putting too much pressure on myself, but my skills have improved and I am working hard on my tumbling,” Souza said. “I bought myself a mat and can practice at home to get better. I’m no longer putting too much pressure on myself and things are getting better.”

Like her JV teammates, Cherrisson found the fall much different than the winter season.

“Fall competitions are much more stressful, but once you hit the mat you feel the energy,” Cherrisson said. “I am having fun and being a back spot helping my teammates do stunts is great.”

All four girls are glad that they have joined the winter cheer team and are looking forward to making it to Regionals next year as seniors.

“Our goal next year is to make it to Regionals while having fun,” Noel said. “We were close this year, a couple of points short. It was a minor disappointment, but with hard work we should be able to accomplish our goal next year.”

Cherrisson echoed her teammate’s thoughts.

“Our goal was to make Regionals and last year being that we were new to the sport we didn’t do any new stunts,” Cherrisson said. “We’ve been improving and putting a lot of effort into our stunts and should be able to make Regionals next year, while having fun.”

Souza wrapped things up by noting that the team was sharpening their skills and scores were going up so the team should expect to make Regionals next year. While making Regionals will be their top priority, she also enjoys being with her friends during the run.

“I love spending time with my teammates and coach and you can’t do stunting in any other sport,” the tiny flyer said. “I’ve only been cheering for two years now, but it has become my favorite sport and I can’t live without it now.”