The Redbird Word Holiday Issue

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CHEER TEAM PREPS TOCOMPETE REMOTELYBy Isabella Bohnert, ReporterThis year, because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Alton High School cheer team can’tcheer in front of the Redbird Nest, sports games, pep rallies or parades. A restrictionwas also placed on partner stunting and pyramids, since they have to remain six feetapart at all times. and those in particular wouldn’t allow for social distancing.Competing remotely will be the biggest challenge. Performances will be recordedfrom the home gym and sent off to the IHSA judges for scoring and ranking against allof the other state teams.It will take time for everyone on the team to adjust to the new circumstances as oneof the things that keeps cheer teams alike motivated is the energy given by the crowdwatching. With no audience this year, it’s more important to keep up with the team’smorale wherever or however they may compete now and in the future.“I’m grateful we get to have a season, no matter what it looks like,” cheerleading coachBreonna Pettigrew said. “It gives us more time together. The competition, games andwins are all fun.. but if you ask anyone on the squad, they would say the best thing isthe friendships and bonds we make. That part of the sport won’t change! Together wecan make the best of everything else.”Photos taken of last season's cheer team by PettigrewDecember 2020 Issue 2 Page 6
Boys' Bowlers Holdon to Hope for a SeasonBy Macy Crane, ReporterMany sports seasons have had to be changed due to what is going on in the world around us. Grant Haegele, aformer and present teammate on the bowling team, has been affected by the way sports have changed. Althoughsome sports have had to cancel seasons, the boys bowling team will have a chance for a 2020-21 season.Grant Haegele got to engage in both junior varsity and varsity bowling teams last year. This is important for his futurebowling career because it provided him with more bowling experience. With more experience, Haegele can find hisstrengths and weaknesses.“Last year, I was put on JV and Varsity, as I switched teams occasionally. Because of this, I believe I did well,” saidHaegele.The 2020 season had to undergo slight changes due to COVID-19. The changes did not initially affect boys' bowling,but now some matches have had to be cancelled and the team is awaiting new matches in January.“COVID-19 has affected the 2020 season due to the fact it was pushed back and our schedule is more of a week byweek instead of planning out a month ahead,” Haegele said.Sadly, it seems the bowling team is not taken seriously by some, but once students join the team, they find it overallvery fun. In fact, it is not all that common for many schools to have a bowling team for their students to take part in.Being able to be a part of an exciting, fun sport inspires the team to do their best and have fun while doing so.“Honestly it was just something to do and it turned out tobe really fun and I loved it,” Haegele said.Unlike many other sports, being a part of a fun team, suchas bowling, doesn’t take away too much from studiousplayers. Team players can enjoy the sport they play withouthaving to stress about time management.“The sport doesn’t get in the way of my schoolwork at all,you still just need to work on what needs to be done,”Haegele said.Many students have felt the added stress of learning a newway through remote learning and having to juggle addedresponsibilities. Participating in a low stress sport can helpdecrease other stressors.2019-2020 Boys' Varsity Bowling TeamDecember 2020 Issue 2 Page 7
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The Redbird Word Holiday Issue

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