By Matt Browning
Being a good cheerleader is just beginning of what it takes to make the Buhler cheerleading team.
“We post information for interested persons to complete a Cheer Interest form,” said Buhler coach, D’ana Heinlein. “They must complete a Cheer Application and three teacher evaluations that each applicant must have completed prior to the tryout clinics. Teacher evaluations and judges scores are added up and the top cheerleaders are selected.”
This year’s team has no seniors, which is a rarity. But Heinlein has seen other cheerleaders carry themselves with that veteran presence.
“We have 16 cheerleaders currently – three freshmen, nine sophomores (eight returners), and four juniors (three returners),” Heinlein said. “Seniors are hue for our squad, but our underclassmen have really been stepping up this year to fill that gap.”
There is a certain camp Buhler goes to every year that Heinlein thinks makes a difference once the season starts.
“We attend the Kansas Shrine Bowl Cheer Camp in the summer,” Heinlein said. “We have attended this camp since 2018 and feel that it is a life changing experience. It is about so much more than cheerleading and raising funds for Shriner Kids makes it even more special.”
Heinlein said cheerleaders are a key component to the game day environment.
“We try to encourage sportsmanship, energy, positivity, and fun to the atmosphere, Heinlein said. “If our energy and excitement are up, our crowd is more involved and seems to be louder. School spirit is not what it used to be, but we are working very hard to bring it back.”
