Meet the Ashley Ridge High School cheer team
SUMMERVILLE, S.C. — The Ashley Ridge Cheer program has been part of Ashley Ridge Athletics since the school opened. The current coaches for the program are: Emilee Fidler (Head Coach), Casey Anne Attaway (Varsity Spirit Coach), Kimberle Branham (JV Spirit Coach), and Jordan Branham (B Team Coach). The coaches also value raising up student leaders among the girls. Within the competitive team, the coaches have put in place “squads,” which serve as small accountability groups on the team. This year, the squad leaders are Lily Holl, Bella Dawson, Hailey Nettles, Elizabeth Davenport, and Alexa Barkasy. “Their leadership role on the team is to support their squads and provide accountability for things like attendance and effort,” Head Coach Emilee Fidler shared. “Our coaching staff awards squad points when athletes master new skills, win team challenges, go beyond the call of duty, or exhibit exemplary behavior that reinforces our team expectations.”
This fall, the ARHS has some very ambitious goals and both the girls and coaches are putting in the work and have the mindset to accomplish them. Coach Fidler shared: “Our goals for the upcoming season are to compete for a state title in competitive cheer and to score higher at every competition than our best score from the previous season. For our spirit teams, our goal is always to support the football and basketball teams, as well as serve our school and community through positivity and representation at events. Our girls are hungry to reach new heights this season. Their mindsets have shifted after feeling new success last season and there is a palpable competitive drive with the team. They see the potential they have and are confident that they will have their hand in the most successful season Ashley Ridge Cheer has experienced!”
A new school year also means that the team has new members and they are made to feel at home from the get go. “New members are welcomed to the team with team bonding activities at the start of the season,” Coach Fidler shared. “If an athlete is new to the school and joins after tryouts are held, we place them on an accountability squad and make them feel included and part of the team as soon as possible. Our girls are warm and welcoming and know that any new addition to the team will have something new and unique to offer our program.”
“Pre-Cheer” rituals are important to the team to help them get into the right mindset. Before competitions, the team likes to find ways to bond, to reflect on the hard work that the athletes have put into a routine for the months leading up to their season. Then before ballgames, the team gets ready together and eats a pre-game meal. Coach Fidler shared: “Most of our football games have a theme, so we also take time to dress to that theme to encourage school sprit from our student section, the Ridge Rowdies!”
Not only does the team cheer on the ARHS athletic teams and compete, they also take time to celebrate one another. “We celebrate by spotlighting individuals that contribute to the overall team goal,” Coach Fidler said. “We end each practice with ‘good things’ and take time to recognize noteworthy contributions from people on the team. Small things make the big things happen and it is important to acknowledge this, especially if it is an athlete that is not traditionally in the spotlight because they all help us reach our goals.” Last year, the team celebrated Abbey Lindmier, Alaina Elayda, and Lily Holl who were all recognized as All-Region Cheerleaders; great job ladies! Here’s to a great 2022-2023 season!
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