“I say she’s like really motivated, she’s hardworking… although she’s one of the youngest on the team she has the most drive and she gets everyone hyped up,” said senior Jordyn Willis on teammate Kenadie Martinez.  Competitive cheer involves more skills than just yelling chants and jumping, it takes dedication, technique, and determination. Sophomore Kenadie Martinez cheers for Portage Northern’s varsity competition team, along with cheering on the sidelines during football season, showing continuous efforts in working hard and improving herself throughout the seasons. 

However, cheering is not always a competition, but a community where teammates can connect and bond with one another. Kenadie shares some of the reasons why she keeps pushing herself, “…it [makes] me feel welcome and made me feel like I bring something.” When building a human pyramid, the dynamic and relationships between teammates goes beyond the physical, but also involves trust among one another. Jordyn explains the team’s dynamic “…when we come to cheer it’s with an open mindset and attitude.” Whether it be encouraging one another before a tournament or tumbling across the mat, a strong sense of communication and connection amongst teammates is necessary.

Competitions can be stressful and high stakes, though the moments of calm stick out for Kenadie, “My favorite moment is dance parties after the comp [while] waiting for scores.” While performing acts as the main attraction for the sport, the times of peace are important to continue the bond as a team, as the bus rides home also act as a fun memory for many as Jordyn says it’s one of her favorite memories from the season, “I’d say like the bus rides, especially back home from the long, far away ones, I’d say it’s really fun like just getting along with everyone on the bus and talking.” 

Whether it’s spending extra time after practice or rehearsing the cheer just one more time, cheer is a sport where work ethic and drive shows off through performance. New and difficult tricks don’t come overnight, they take weeks, months, or even years of repetition and strengthening the body’s technique. One of Kenadie’s favorite tricks is a twist cradle, which involves her teammates launching her into the air while she spins to then land in their arms. Kenadie elaborates on her abilities, “my strengths are flying, tumbling, and also my toe touch.” Staying motivated to continue pushing through the season is tough, Kenadie’s motto is simple, “A good motivator is not being a loser.”