Go, Fight, Cheer! DW cheer squad hits the mats

DAYTON/WAITSBURG-The DW cheer squad kicked off its season with a two-day Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA) camp in the Preston Hall gymnasium on Monday and Tuesday. Official practices started on Wed., Aug. 21.

Twelve-year head coach Vickie Hamann will lead the 15-member team, assisted by Kayla Lewis. Lewis, who assisted during basketball last year, will coach all year the full 2019-2020 year.

Hamann said this is the largest turnout she can recall.

"We are fortunate to have good numbers," she said.

Years ago, cheerleaders were required to try out for a limited number of spots, but that tradition no longer stands.

"Kids don't have to try out for other sports, and they aren't cut from the team so we wondered why that should be the case for cheer," Hamann said. "We would rather have the kids participate."

This week's cheer camp was led by UCA cheerleader Paris Hagen of Yelm. Hagen has worked summers with UCA for the past three years but has 16 years cheer experience under her belt. She is currently a cheerleader at Central Washington University where she is a senior.

"I'm super excited to be here," Hagen said.

The team is usually split into a JV and varsity squad, but Hamann said it is still uncertain whether or not there will be a JV football team this year. If not, all the girls will cheer during football season.

"It's a lot, but we'll figure it out," Hamann said. "We really want to encourage the community to come out and support us," she added.