Since tryouts during the week of May 13, the cheerleading squad has been progressing through their season at full speed.

“We started practicing over the summer right after school let out,” Maddie Clark, junior and junior varsity team member, said. Cuts are made for varsity and junior varsity by the numbers. “Professional judges from the Midwest are brought in to score each candidate. Numbers are added by computer and lines are drawn at natural cut offs to determine where an athlete should be placed,” Head Coach Lisa Knipp said. This year marks Knipp’s 30th year coaching cheerleading and her 12th year at CHS.

The practice schedule includes practice after school two days a week, tumbling class once a week, and a Saturday morning practice. But there’s also a lot of pre-season work.

“We condition the major muscle groups of the body, introduce cardio workouts, stretch, tumble and begin teaching partner stunt progressions,” Knipp said.

While cheerleading is not an IHSAA sanctioned sport; the Indiana Association of School Principles (IASP) sanctions most events.

“Besides cheering at football games, cheerleading competitions take place at area high schools and are hosted by National Cheerleading companies or by the hosting high school,” Clark said.

“The Indiana State Cheerleading Competition takes place November 9 and is sanctioned by the IASP,” Knipp said. “ Teams perform a two and a half minute routine which must include jumps, standing tumbling, running tumbling, motions, partner stunts and pyramids.” This year, the IASP has introduced a new division to the State Championship called “Time Out.”

“The goal is for teams to perform a one minute cheer encouraging crowd participation with the use of poms, signs, megaphones, and flags,” Knipp said. “This competition is to be similar to a time out cheer that would be performed at a basketball game.”

Before their final competition the cheerleading squad will be hosting an event called “Share the Spirit.” The entry fee will consist of donating canned food items and will take place October 23 at 7:30 p.m. in the Varsity Gym.

“It’s an opportunity for the community, students, friends, and families to watch an exhibition of the freshman, junior varsity, and varsity state competition routines,” Knipp said.

The cheerleading season will end once the football season ends. “Hopefully at Lucas Oil Stadium,” Knipp said.