Coupeville Sports

Abbigail Bond returns for a new season of CHS cheer. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

Back on the sidelines, back on the mats.

Coupeville High School cheerleaders will split their time this school year, leading crowd spirit at games, while also working for their own chance to compete.

The Wolf cheer program, which has a successful history as a competition squad, including winning a state title in 2006, finished 3rd in 2019, then went to nationals the next season.

After a couple of seasons with just a sideline team, CHS and head coach Jennifer Morrell are ramping back up, with the goal to qualify for the state cheer championships in February.

“They are working on getting confidence in front of large crowds,” she said. “And creating a competition routine, with help from Crystal Cruz, worthy of a trophy.

“We hope to improve our scores with each routine we perform,” Morrell added. “Our biggest competition is ourselves.

“Once these cheerleaders get some experience under their belts, they will be a force to be reckoned with!”

Coupeville’s cheer squad, a mix of veterans and newcomers, has been hard at work during the offseason, preparing for its dual roles.

“I am super excited about the group of students that have decided to cheer this year,” Jennifer Morrell said.

“They are dedicated, energetic and motivated.

“This group of cheerleaders has been working hard this summer in the community and at camp and I cannot wait for our fans to see what they have accomplished.”

Makenna Jonker-Chambers (right), seen here with Ember Light, is a captain this fall. (Delanie Lewis photo)

Co-captains Makenna Jonker-Chambers and Hayley Thomas lead the pack, with Abbigail Bond, Alysia Burdge, Miles Gerber, Ember Light, Pamela Morrell, and Isabella Schooley rounding out the returning cheerleaders.

Joining them are a batch of high-flying newbies all looking to make a splash, and rain down cheers.

Tirsit Cannon, Lexis Drake, Emma Garcia, Layla Heo, Bella Karr, Mila Light, Gabe Reed, Jacob Schooley, and Kassidy Upchurch comprise that group.

Jennifer Morrell and assistant coach Tara Crouch can also rely on senior manager Jayden Cooks for assistance, while some “top-secret” students will wear the school’s Wolf mascot uniforms.