Coshocton Christian School revives cheerleading program

Coshocton Christian School students are bringing some added school spirit to basketball games this season.

Recent graduate Sydney Wood is heading up the school’s new cheer program, and Kim Goldman is the official adviser.

“We had cheerleading back when I was in eighth grade, and we didn’t end up having it after that because there weren’t enough girls,” Wood said. “I decided I wanted to bring it back this year because I have always had a passion for cheerleading.”

Wood dreamed of leading her own cheer squad someday and had her mother as a great example as a coach.

“I see my mom coaching the girls here with basketball, and I really look up to her, helping not only through basketball, but also helping the girls with school and praying for them and surrounding the team with Jesus,” Wood said. “I truly want the cheerleading squad to be the same way.”

The school’s cheer squad includes 24 girls in kindergarten through 12th grade, and they are divided between two teams. Kindergartners through fifth-graders are on the biddy squad, and the sixth grade through 12th grade students are on the varsity.

“We cheer at every home game the boys and girls have,” Wood said. “My older girls (varsity) will be cheering at a couple away games as well.”

One of the youngest ladies on the squad is kindergartner Anastasia Francis.

“I just wanted to try it and have fun,” she said. “I like doing the cheers, like the Wildcat Rumble.”

Fifth-grader Lillian Smith said she loves cheering and plans to do it again next year.

“I like to be a part of a team, to work together and build friendship,” she said. “It's a confidence booster.”

Wood is proud of all the girls, especially because they only had three weeks to practice before their first game.

“I have loved getting to know these girls and spread the love of Jesus to them all,” Wood said. “Each and every one of them are so special, and I couldn’t ask for a better group of girls to be coaching.”