Reiver Cheerleading has officially Begun Nationals Training
While volleyball comes to an end, while football is still trucking along, and Basketball beginning their season, The Iowa Western Cheerleaders are gearing up to train for nationals!
In late October the Iowa Western cheerleaders officially had their first round of choreography. And they are working on some very special things! Every year since 2023 they have added a new team, increasing their roster size each year. They are currently at over 80 athletes! This year the Reivers will compete in the traditional Large Co-ed, Small Co-ed, All-girl divisions, as well as Large Co-ed Gameday. This will be the first year that they compete in both the Traditional All-girl division as well as the Large Co-ed gameday.
They had over 40 hours of choreography in a 4-day period and are looking more ready than ever before! We asked a few of the athletes from each team what they thought about their training as well as what they are excited about for this season.
Large:
Darius (Veteran) – Choreography went really well! The coaches seem happy with where we are at, so I am trusting them, and trusting the process. I will continue to stay focused on improving.
I am looking forwards to keeping my academics in check, as well as working with this team. It's been cool to see how much we have grown, and cool to look back and see how far we have come as a team. I want to finish the season strong, on and off the mat.
Romi (Rookie) – I really liked the Intensity of Choreography and the atmosphere, It was very intense and it just made the competition season feel so much more real and exciting to get moving. I look forward to performing at nationals, and getting to experience the pressure of the competition side of cheerleading because I have never been able to.
Small
Aiden (Rookie) – I thought choreography was challenging, it helped me realize how much better I can be, it gave me the drive to learn and push myself!
I am excited to overcome challenges and create new bonds and friendships.
Mikayla (Veteran) – Choreography is always a fun time, our team has put in a lot of work the past few in order to prepare for nationals.
This year I am looking forward to working on our nationals routine with this new team, and I am ready to cheer on our basketball teams!
All-girl:
Irene (Veteran) – I absolutely loved chorography week. Watching our routine come together piece by piece was so exciting. Seeing the stunts transitions and formations all connect showed just how much potential we have a team. It gave me a clear picture of what we can grow into as we keep improving, and it honestly made me even more motivated for the rest of the season.
Emily V. (Rookie) – I thought choreography week was good, and I learned so much. There were good lessons to learn, and it was fun getting a routine we're going to take the floor with this year. This year I am excited to take the mat this nationals with my teammates and make history being the first all-girl team to compete for Iowa Western
Gameday
Cole (Rookie) – Choreography for gameday was a new experience for me. I have only ever completed traditional routines so being on mat for gameday is a very new thing for me. I cannot wait to actually compete our routine because although some stuff is set in stone for the routine, there are some parts where I am able to add my own motions and make this routine my own.
Something that I am looking forward to this season definitely has to be nationals. Nationals is such a fun time and such a great experience that only a few people get to enjoy. I know I am going to love nationals no matter what!
Caleb (Veteran) – I loved Choreography for gameday. I competed in the gameday division when I was in high school, and its fun being able to do it again.
I am looking forward to going out there and winning a national championship. I am looking forward to going out there, the most confident I have ever felt, and hitting as a team.