Cougar Cheerleaders Set High Expectations

Kim Brooks, varsity head coach for Oakton High School, has her goals set high for the fall 2011 season.

“Last year, for only the only second time in school history, the Cougar varsity cheerleaders made it past district competition to regionals. This year, we hope to do it again and place higher than we did last year, which was 11th.”

This is Brooks’ third year as varsity head coach for the Cougars. Prior to that, the Yakima, Wash., native coached cheerleading in California as well as her home state.

Assistant varsity coaches Erica Bielek and Cara Weathers have teamed with Brooks to prepare the squad for this season. They took the Cougar cheerleaders to a stunting camp in Woodbridge over the summer, where the girls improved their skills.

This new season has not been without challenges. The squad has not had gym space at Oakton, which made choreography interesting, but the girls have not given up.

“In addition to our team goal to advance to regionals once again, we also want to have five solid stunt groups for competitions. We also want to have everyone’s standing backhand spring solid for competition and games,” Brooks said.

Captains for Oakton cheer this year are Brooke Townshend, Riley Loftus and Kayla Stamey. Co-captain is Hannah Daido. With only two seniors out of 22 total cheerleaders, the young squad will rely heavily on their leadership.

About cheerleading in Northern Virginia, the Cougar head coach notes, “It is actually very competitive, especially in Virginia and in the Concorde district, which is the most competitive in the state. They need to be able to dance, have overall strength, and skills in stunting, which is dangerous and risky. You can’t be good at just one thing. Our girls practice four to five days per week, two to four hours at a time. It is a big commitment. These girls are very talented, make great grades and are a great representation of Oakton High School.”