After a silence on the sidelines that lasted more than 13 years, the Moorhead High School Cheerleading team returned for the 2023-24 school year. With a season that spanned the traditional fall and winter activities terms, two coaches and a handful of MHS students answered the call to bring cheerleading back.
“Being part of something so big has felt amazing,” said junior MariSol Chacon, who served as captain for the Spuds in their return campaign. “It was such an honor to be there at the start of a new era for Moorhead Cheerleading.”
On September 29, the word “homecoming” meant more than a football game at Jim Gotta Stadium and alumni returning to Moorhead. Walking in the Homecoming Parade and then cheering in the evening’s football game marked the first official cheerleading performance for MHS since the 2009-10 school year.
“To be honest, it took a while for it to even feel real, seeing our girls in the parade and on the sidelines. We are bringing the Cheer program back,” said head coach Abigail McAndrew.
That debut was the culmination of months and years of work by the MHS Activities Office, Activities Director Dean Haugo, McAndrew and students who continued to show interest in participating.
“When we’re considering adding a new activity, not only do we look for student interest but also participation from adults, particularly coaches, who can provide a program long-term stability,” explained Haugo. “I knew from students approaching me over the last few years that the interest for Cheerleading was there. When Coach McAndrew demonstrated her passion for Cheer and laid out her plans for the program, things really started moving.”
In getting ramped up for the return season, Cheerleading faced common challenges, such as recruitment and securing a practice space. They also faced less-common challenges like the move into the new MHS halfway through their season. Being adaptable to whatever came their way became a hallmark of the team and their positive spirit translated to Spud fans.
“The team was really flexible—even starting the year with non-traditional uniforms and no pom-poms. They made the most of the opportunity to restart the program,” said assistant coach Jessi Bruce. “The girls got really great interaction from the crowds right away, which helped build the excitement both on the team and with the community and other students.”
“I remember so many people telling us how happy they were to see cheerleaders back, which lifted our confidence as a team,” added Chacon.
Homecoming kicked off the 2023-24 year for Cheerleading. Their season extended from the middle of the fall activities season through the end of the winter season. Over the course of their return campaign, the squad cheered for the Spuds Football, Boys Basketball, Girls Basketball, Boys Hockey, Girls Hockey, Wrestling and Adapted Floor Hockey teams.
In times past, each winter sport would have a dedicated cheering squad follow their games but this year, the team was one unit that performed at the various sporting events. According to the coaches, the Adapted Floor Hockey games were a highlight for the team, in terms of fan, player and family interaction and feedback.
“I really enjoyed cheering for all the different sports over the course of the season,” said Chacon. “I liked being able to cheer for our school and represent the Spuds, going crazy with our crowds when our team would score.”
Cheer’s official return as a MHS activity has provided a noticeable lift across the fall and winter seasons.
“When you see our cheerleaders on the sidelines and in the stands, it gives the feeling of a more complete activities program,” noted Haugo. “That vital connection between the crowd and field, court, ice, track or mat had been missing. We couldn’t be happier to see it restored.”
For the 2024-25 school year, Cheerleading hopes to expand participation and build toward entering into competitions. To learn more about the team and find out information about next Cheer season, follow them on Instagram at @moorheadhscheerteam. (Photos/ Renee Grover & Bill Grover)