Coupeville Sports

Alyssa Pigott (Submitted photo)

“I love to dance, and this is the closest thing.”

As she prepares for her junior year at Coupeville High School, Alyssa Pigott is also deep into preparation for her debut as a Wolf cheerleader.

She and her new teammates are conducting spring practices right now, with summer cheer camp still ahead as the countdown continues until the first football game Sept. 2.

Pigott’s love of dance, and the example of her cousin (“She would always show me cheers and I got into it and started liking it”) drew her to the sport.

And, regardless of whether CHS classifies it as a sport (it’s officially viewed as an activity), Pigott has seen first-hand how much blood, sweat and tears go into cheer.

“Cheer can also be a sport,” she said. “Because you work a lot and have to hold girls up using your strength.”

Pigott, who also played basketball when she was younger, has been in choir for nine years and is hopelessly devoted to the movie “Grease.”

A fan of hip hop, she likes to spend time with friends and family, hailing her mom, dad and little brother as having had a big impact on her life.

As she gets ready for her first Friday night under the lights on the sideline, Pigott is embracing the chance to let loose a bit.

“What I like about cheer is the spirit, how you can get the crowd pumped and represent your school, and the friends you make if you’re shy.”