Each year, only a few freshmen get the chance to be on a varsity sports team. Keegan Breuker is one of these lucky athletes. Breuker was able to earn a position on varsity cheer this year.
Being on varsity is a new and interesting experience for Breuker.
“It’s scary, there are a lot of other older people, but it’s also really exciting,” Breuker said.
Even though she is new to varsity cheer, Breuker is not an inexperienced cheerleader. Breuker has been cheering for seven years since she came to Northview in 3rd grade. In all her years of participating in cheer, her favorite thing about the sport is the attitude and effort the team puts into the sport.
“There’s so much positive energy,” Breuker said. “In other sports sometimes it can get negative, but with cheer, it’s always positive and I love that about it.”
Lilly Niedzielski is a junior and one of Breuker’s teammates. Niedzielski is also Breukers’ fellow base in their stunt group. Bases are athletes that hold the flier during a stunt. According to her, Breuker brings multiple cheerful elements to the group.
“I think [Breuker]contributes her positive energy to the team,” Niedzielski said. “She’s always checking in on people making sure that they’re okay, she’s caring and I love how passionate she is about working hard.”
However, cheer isn’t always a stress-free experience. Being the only freshman on any varsity team can sometimes be isolating.
“There’s a lot of pressure [anyways, but] especially because I am the only freshman on the team. There’s a lot of pressure to do better,” Breuker said.
Assistant varsity coach, Kelly Richardson, acknowledges this struggle.
“It’s not easy to be the only freshman on a varsity team,” Richardson said. “There is a lot required of her, but she takes it all in stride and works hard every day.”
Richardson enjoys having Breuker as an athlete because of her attitude about the sport.
“[Breuker] is very humble and a very hard worker. She pushes herself to be better every day and encourages those around her,” Richardson said.
Breuker’s career in varsity cheer is just beginning and Richardson is excited to see how she grows and improves throughout her four years.
“We are just starting to see her potential and I expect great things from her in the years to come,” Richardson said.
