The Indiana Wesleyan Wildcats’ competitive cheer team is soaring to new heights this season after breaking a program record with a score of 93.4 at Wildcat Weekend earlier this season.
IWU competitive cheer head coach Lindsay Reep said they have been consistent with their routines in practice as they prepared for the energy of competing at home.
“Setting this new program record is incredibly exciting,” Reep said. “It’s a great springboard for our season, a payoff for our consistency and hard work, and it positions us well as we head towards nationals.”
Reep noted it has been several years since the team scored this high, but they have consistently been in the same range, citing that the team’s hard work led to breaking the previous record. Reep also said that at the beginning of each season, her team collaborates with assistant coaches and a choreographer to maximize difficulty and execution in their routines.
“I encourage people to understand the unique aspects of cheer and the team’s commitment and consistency,” Reep said.
Kate Thompson, a junior flyer and First Team All-Crossroads League selection, said the team was thrilled with their record-breaking performance.
“Breaking the program record was an incredible surprise,” Thompson said. “It’s a huge motivator that shows our hard work is paying off and inspires us to push even harder toward postseason success.”
Thompson said the team’s primary goal at the home competition is to have fun and show their skills, rather than focusing on the score. Breaking a new record motivates the team to work harder and aim for success in postseason competitions.
The choreographer comes in October to provide the team’s basic routine, which is refined by the coach and team members. Thompson said this year, their choreographer introduced more transitions, making their routine busier and more dynamic. She also stated how the team’s success is due to their strong relationships with each other and their coaches, who allow the team to decide how practices are run.
Thompson is grateful for the opportunity to gain publicity for cheerleading, which is often overshadowed by other sports.
“I encourage people to give cheerleading a chance and recognize its athletic excellence,” Thompson said.
Ethan White, a senior base/tumbler and Second Team All-Crossroads League selection, said it was very meaningful to him to break a new record on his senior night, which he considers a special moment in his career.
“Breaking the program record shows how much we have grown each year,” White said. “It is an encouraging milestone that proves our hard work, hunger, and the talent across the team. It motivates us to keep pushing for even higher scores.”
White said they focus on continuous improvement and adding new skills throughout the year. He believes the team’s unique talent and hard work contributed to their recent record-breaking performance.
The team has grown each year, showing significant improvement. White said the team believes in their ability to achieve even higher scores in future competitions, and they are hungry and focused on continuing to perform well for the rest of the season.
White also said Coach Reep reminds them that their performance is an act of worship, focusing on effort and teamwork over winning. White is optimistic about the team’s chances of doing well in the postseason.
Breaking the program record is more than just a high score for the Wildcats. It is the result of hard work, teamwork, and a shared commitment to excellence. After a second-place finish in the conference championship, the team awaits an at-large bid to compete in the NAIA National Championship. Their fate will be announced next Monday, March 16, at 7:30 p.m ET.
