The progress of Barstow’s cheerleading team.
Barstow’s cheer team has kicked off the beginning of a great season! They have been working hard before basketball season begins. With new cheers being learned and friendship’s forming, it is safe to say that the girls on the team are loving the season so far.
“I love it. I love being around the team,” said Dior Dunn ‘28 when asked about her feelings towards the season so far.
Melanie Stelting and Kelsi Dudzik, the team’s coaches, have been blown away by the progress of the team so far. Coach Melanie has coached for three years, while Coach Kelsi is starting her second.
Coach Melanie said that she has been “so encouraged by the new girls on the team who have never cheered before,” and explained that one of her favorite parts of the season is seeing the new girls step out of their comfort zone.
Both coaches explained that they love the excitement that their team brings to the court during basketball games. From sideline cheers to half-time dances, they love seeing the girls step into the leadership of the student section.
Coach Melanie and Coach Kelsi have expressed their gratitude for how well the team bonds with each other. Coach Melanie shared that her main goal as a coach is to create a positive atmosphere at practice.
She wants the girls to feel “important to the team,” and “feel like they have a place.” In her three years of coaching, she has not had “typical cheer difficulties,” such as athlete relationship issues and she feels that the bonds between her athletes have grown close.
Both coaches agreed that cheerleading bonds are life-long. Coach Kelsi mentioned her group chat with girls that she cheered with in highschool, explaining that they keep in touch and talk often.
Along with forming new friendships, the girls on the team have been enjoying practice. They are putting in a lot of hard work. With new members learning their cheers, stunts being thrown, and dances being taught, there is a lot to remember, but they have been doing great! New girls have made great progress with learning new skills, and have really enjoyed the season so far. Dunn has never cheered before, leading her to strive for goals like,“learning the cheers faster,” as well as “being more out there.”
One thing that the team is excited for is doing what they do best; cheering at games. Basketball is a sport that many people in the Barstow community enjoy watching, and the girls are ready to put their hard work on the court.
Coach Melanie explained that from a coach’s perspective, she gets to see her new girls step into different roles and call cheers. “I love seeing people gain confidence,” she explained.
Lauren Rothhaas ‘25 said that she is excited for the away games this year. Lauren is a senior who is in her third year of cheerleading, and she is sad to be finishing her time on the Barstow cheer team, but is also excited to see what the season brings. Her love for away games comes from the bonding that they provide.
“I think that those are really fun because it’s super bonding for all the girls to go out to dinner,” she explained when talking about the trips down there and how they always stop for a pre-game dinner.
With the first basketball game being right around the corner, the Barstow cheerleaders have been working hard so they can cheer the team to victory. The girls will continue to put in the hard work, perfecting their chants and skills, and they are excited to support the Barstow Knights!
