Natalie Hollrigel (Submitted photo)
Get the first one, you often get the second one.
It’s been a good rule of thumb for the Coupeville High School cheer squad over the years, as younger sisters frequently follow their older siblings into the sport.
Having seen her big sis Kaela enjoy herself immensely as a Wolf cheerleader, Natalie Hollrigel is the latest to keep the tradition alive.
“This is my first year cheering and I started cheering because of my sister,” she said. “And all of the many amazing girls who showed me how fun it was to be a part of such a tight-knit group of girls.”
Hollrigel, who will be a freshman at CHS in the fall, is diving in feet-first.
“My favorite part of cheer is learning a new cheer and being able to practice that cheer until I get it down,” she said.
A two-sport star during her middle school days, when she competed in volleyball and track, Hollrigel firmly falls into the camp of those who appreciate the time, effort and hard work which goes into cheer.
“In my opinion cheerleading is a sport,” she said. “The definition of a sport is “an activity involving physical exertion” and, at every practice, everyone tries their hardest to stay in shape and to be able to lift those girls into a stunt without them falling.
“Also, during cheers most people think that you just have to follow the motions, but for the cheer to look good you have to sharpen your movements which means to tighten your muscles,” Hollrigel added.
“At every practice our muscles become sore, whether it is the running we do at every practice or the stunting we do.”
When she’s not at practice, Hollrigel enjoys hanging out with friends and going to the beach. At school she looks forward to her science and gym classes.
Along with various group leaders and coaches who have impacted her, she gets encouragement and advice from Kaela and mom Diana Bedford.
The duo are strong role models in Hollrigel’s life.
“They have taught me to be strong, confident, and have a good time during all the activities I do.”
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