December - Wingspan

December 6, 2010wingspan.lccc.wy.edusportsWingspan31Overcoming obstaclesCourtesySpirit squad smiles:Laramie County Community College’s spirit squad smiles for the camera before LCCC’s firstbasketball game on Nov. 9. With coach Mary Spilski far left, top row, from left: Shieta Jones,Emily Smith, Jenna Nicholarsen, Ramiro Rivera, Kali Gonzales, Kenzi Buehler; bottom row,from left: Marina Harris, Jaylene Cavali, Kylie Palato, Shannon Brooks and Aurora Zheng.Spirit squad soars with new coachafter months without practicingBy Emily SmithPhoto EditorThe Laramie County Community College’s spiritsquad has overcome a potentially devastating setbackbecause of the dedication and experience of itsmembers.“The purpose is to support all Golden Eagle activitiesand athletics, as well as building spirit at LCCC and in thecommunity,” said the new coach, Mary Spilski.Some beginnings are rougher than others, and thatwas true of this season’s beginning. “The biggest obstaclethat the team has had to overcome would be not having acoach until after the season started,” Spilski said.After tryouts were held in May, the previous coach,Ashley Jones, moved to Arizona. So during the summer,the team did not have any practices. In previous summers,the spirit squads held practices in preparation forvolleyball season performances.Spilski came on as coach at the beginning ofSeptember, and practices began shortly after that. Thesquad of 10 learned several dances, cheers and stuntsin the months leading up to the start of the basketballseasonLuckily, the majority if the members had experience,so learning the dances and cheers in such a short timewas not too difficult.The squads’ members are as follows: Shannon Brooks,Kenzi Buehler, Jaylene Cavali, Kali Gonzales, MarinaHarris, Shieta Jones, Jenna Nicholarsen, Kylie Palato,Ramiro Rivera, Emily Smith and Aurora Zheng. The squadnow practices twice a week in either the mat room or gymon campus.They also attended men and women’s soccer and volleyballgames to cheer on the Eagles and show their supportfor the teams. The squad recently cheered at LCCC’sfirst home basketball game on Nov. 9.The squad is no longer accepting members for the2010–2011 seasons. Tryouts for the 2011–2012 seasons willbe held in April 2011.Coach Spilski encouraged those interested to tryout.“You do not have to be a cheerleader to get involved andsupport the Eagles,” Spilski said.A great time:The Laramie CountyCommunity College spiritsquad tells the world whatthey think of the squad.Kenzi Buehler“It is an easy way to meet new peopleand make friends when coming intocollege.”Shieta Jones“The games are always fun, and I simplyLOVE to cheer!”Marina Harris“It is an amazing opportunity for myfirst year in college and a great way tomake friends. I know I have 10 peoplewho are always there!”Ramiro Rivera“The girls are nice and great to workwith. I do not feel out of place becauseI was the only male cheerleader at myhigh school, so I have done this before.It is a great squad, amazing coach.”Kali Gonzales“It is amazing and fun. You make a lotof friends.”Aurora Zheng“I like dancing, cheering and workingwith everyone. It has been a great andexciting experience after I came to theU.S.”Jenna Nicholarsen“We are more of a family away fromhome rather than a team. We stick togetherevery practice despite the manytimes coach says, ‘last time,’ and westill do it three more times.”Jaylene Cavali“I love cheering and supporting all ofthe sports teams. I love all the girls,and we have a fun time.”Emily Smith“It is a great experience for me in myfirst year of college. I have made somany great friends through it.”