For the first time since 2021, the Lakes varsity cheer team is co-ed. This means that the team of athletes will experience something that none of them have yet, in their high school careers. Two boys began practicing with the team during the summer camp. William Mercure and Trent Miller who are both senior athletes that have competed in multiple other sports throughout their high school careers, but neither one has ever done something like this before. With two new boys added to the team there have been many changes from previous seasons, it has been a big learning curve for everyone on the mat.
Due to Miller’s unfortunate injury, Mercure is the only boy left performing on the mat. For many this would have also meant the end for them, but not Mercure. He said that in the beginning joining cheer took a lot of convincing, but after talking to the varsity coaches Mercure was convinced. “There are many doors cheer can open,” said Mercure. He has been an athlete involved in many different team sports such as varsity wide receiver, a guard in basketball, and a pole vaulter.
“I have never been in something where the end result is so dependent on each and every person on the mat.” – William Mercure
Mercure goes on to talk about how it is difficult for one person to stand out more than another and how the whole performance depends on each individual coming together to make things work. While Mercure is learning to cheer, he is most definitely an athlete. Prior to joining the team, Mercure taught himself how to tumble, learned to backflip, and now continues to grow his skills on the mat. Mercure’s hard work has paid off as he and the team prepare to perform at state.
The two new boys were positively received by the all female team. “It went a lot better than we initially thought,” said Allie Gedville, a veteran on the Varsity cheer team. She explained that in the beginning her and her teammate were a bit skeptical. Gedville said “a lot of them were fast learners and it was easy for them to pick stuff up.” After ten years on the mat, Gedville is focusing on academics in college. But it is clear, she has no regrets and that she is happy to be ending on a successful session. Gedville and the team made it to state three of the four years of her high school experience. Gedville embraces the strength her new teammates bring.
This team has experienced many unforeseen trials, with many unfortunate injuries, but the team has persevered and pushed themselves. They are now heading to Bloomington, Illinois to perform at state. While performing at the state level is not a new experience for this impressive team, it will be the first time they perform co-ed. There is no doubt that this team will continue to do well and produce impressive results.
