By Derrick Smith

Amie Huster is in her first season as the head coach of the Ponca City High School cheer team. She says that she inherited a great squad that is adaptable and works hard. 

“Our squad has great strengths,” Huster said. “They do not get defeated when they are faced with trials. This team is resilient. There has been a lot of change this year and this team has continued with grace and not skipped a beat. Every team member is doing everything to hold the team together. Therefore, this team has resilience and grace to move forward. Also, they lead the Wildcats to the Ponca City spirit that we are known for.”

Emma Kate Graham, who is a junior at Ponca City, says that the community supports the school and that she is able to cheer alongside her friends. 

“I love that we have big crowds at every game,” she said. “I also love the Rowdy’s. I also love that most of my friends are on the cheer team so I am able to see them every day and spend a lot of time with them.”

During the offseason, Huster’s squad worked hard to prepare for the upcoming season. They also enjoyed growing as a team and getting to know each other better. 

“Our team has participated in weight training and boot camps to build a solid foundation for a new squad,” she said. “They participated in an all squad overnight team bounding where they did activities as a team. We eat as a team before each football game at various locations throughout the city.”

Another team member, junior Rikki Baird, says that her favorite part of being on the cheer team is seeing all the school spirit. 

“I love the school spirit,” Baird said. “I love to see how involved teh school students and staff are. I also enjoy how our team works through the good and bad days and we can always rely on each other.”