Coupeville Sports

Maddy Neitzel

A new high school sports year approaches and the Coupeville High School cheer squad is hard at work.

To get you ready, we present a series of features on Wolf cheerleaders, with the headline to each article paying tribute to 2009’s “Fired Up!,” the best cheerleader movie ever made.

Yeah, you heard me the first time, “Bring it On.” I said it and I meant it.

Maddy Neitzel is setting off on a new adventure.

The CHS junior joined the Wolf cheer squad this season looking for a new way to express herself.

“I’ve always wanted to cheer but I’ve been too shy to actually join,” Neitzel said. “I decided that I would try it out so I could meet and get to know some more people and help me to come out of my shell a little and be more open.

“I also wanted to be more involved in my school.”

While it’s a big transition, Neitzel has felt welcomed by her new teammates from the very start.

“I enjoy how the cheer team is supportive and willing to help each other,” she said. “It’s like we’re a family; everyone has each other’s backs.”

Cheer is the first sport Neitzel has gone out for at CHS, and the sport’s mix of hard work and skill should make others see it as just that — a sport.

“I would tell them to come to one of our practices and see how active we truly are!,” she said. “Also, we are a strong team, and teamwork is a huge part of most sports.”

As she steps into a new arena, Neitzel continues to draw huge support from those who have always been there for her — her family and friends. One who stands out above the crowd is her mother.

“I’m glad that I have those special people in my life to help me pull through when I’m struggling,” Neitzel said. “My mom is the strongest woman I know and always believes I can do whatever I set my mind to and pushes me to reach for the stars.

“I am truly grateful she is a part of my life.”

Neitzel spends a fair amount of her free time with her friends and gets great enjoyment from the arts.

A big fan of hip hop, she rattles off Lana Del Ray, Chris Brown, Ariana Grande and Iggy Azalea as favorite artists, and is quick to emulate their work.

“I LOVE to dance and sing, even though I may not have the best voice!,” Neitzel said with a laugh.

Her interests are diverse, ranging from fashion and clothes (“So I love to shop!”) to photography, movies (“Mean Girls,” Bridesmaids” and “The Wedding Singer” are favorites) and her art classes.

“My favorite class is probably art because I get to fully express who I am in the pieces and projects I create,” Neitzel said.

In the end, though, it all comes back around to her family and friends.

All of the parts of her busy life help to shape her into the bright, personable young woman she is, but their examples inspire her.

“I can talk to any of them about anything and they give me great advice,” Neitzel said. “Humor and laughter are a huge part of who I am and no one makes me laugh harder than my best friend and so I am so thankful I have her for that reason!

“I also really enjoy my close friend’s and my mom’s company because I get along with them the best out of all the people I’ve met throughout my life so far,” she said. “I aspire to be like them because they are awesome people!”