5, 6, 7, 8! A crowd roars from clanking bleachers for football players darting down the field, while cheerleaders down below countdown to launch their flyers into the air. The girls twist, tumble, and stunt while raising their pom poms to the sky. Three varsity-returning seniors soar above, but one new face with an unprecedented cheer background will join the girls this season.
Transfer Faith Springer has joined the cheer squad with eleven years of competitive cheer under her belt. As a sophomore, she has been involved in two high-level gyms: KC Cheer and recently closed KCDG. Springer was also involved in middle school and high school cheerleading at her prior school, Olathe Northwest.
Head cheer coach Taryn Frank dedicates herself as a math teacher and herd leader outside of cheer at Miege. According to Springer, her coaching style and the team’s attitudes have benefited Springer’s athletic needs.
“I would describe the space as an encouraging, positive atmosphere filled with super thoughtful and nice girls,” Springer said. “If you come in with a sad face or a bad day, they always turn your frown upside-down. It is not just a team with them – it continues out of school too. When I see them in the hallways, they will always help or talk to you and show that they care.”
Springer describes the competitive atmosphere of her old school’s cheer team.
“They wanted to be the best, but it was not the best coaching experience,” Springer said. “They expected everything from you on the spot, but with Coach T (Frank), if you do not get something right away, she will always understand and offer help and time to try. It is a much better mental experience here.”
As a student-athlete, Springer explains how she values her education and the support provided by a private school. She shares how the sports program and education were two factors that contributed to her decision to switch schools.
“In the past, I have struggled with getting teachers that actually help their students,” Springer said. “Since now I have a block day every day, I feel less stressed than when I had to learn, take tests, and do projects all in one day like I experienced with 45-minute long classes.”
Miege typically goes by a block schedule, which Springer feels gives her more time to soak in her subjects. Since competing in cheer for over a decade, Springer has overcome physical challenges that have shaped her as an athlete. She has endured a spiral fracture and witnessed major concussions and muscle tears inflicted on her friends. Mental blocks have affected her cheer experience as well.
“Sometimes people say cheer is not a difficult sport, but I have dealt with lots of stress and anxiety since I’m on the highest level,” Springer said. “You really have to trust your body and mind. For my trickiest routines, you go into the air and spin twice, which can be very scary. I struggled on successfully performing that (spins) for years.”
Nationwide cheerleaders, known as “cheer celebrities” in Springer’s gym are an inspiration to young girls like Springer. One celebrity that stands out to Springer is Florida senior Izzy Russo. The two have met once before when Springer was 14. Russo had won Worlds that year, an esteemed cheer competition that is bid-entry only.
To get to practices on time, Springer bears a 30-minute car ride to school in the mornings. However, she reflects on how a new team and learning environment have made this sacrifice worth the journey for her.
“I live 30 minutes away from school, so I have to wake up at 4 a.m. to get there on time,” Springer said. “But instead of thinking to myself that “I don’t want to be here,” the girls have a contagious presence and the change has made my love for cheer thrive. When you see cheerleaders waving their pom poms, there really is so much more to the sport than people think, and I am willing to give a lot for this passion.
